BORDENTOWN, NJ — A Bordentown teacher recently had the opportunity to get an in depth view of South Jersey businesses and learn about issues affecting the area during a summer program run by the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey.

Raquel Page, a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Bordentown Regional High School, attended the annual South Jersey Summer Institute for Educators from July 10 through July 28. The goal of the Institute is to address the readiness of the future workforce by exposing teachers to the South Jersey economy and the skills, traits and characteristics businesses look for when hiring employees.

During the three-week program, Page, along with 14 other teachers from Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties, toured 18 of South Jersey’s major companies, including Campbell Soup Company, Radwell International,

Paulsboro Refinery/PBF Energy, Five Below Corporate Headquarters — WowTown, Rowan University’s Rohrer College of Business and Technology Park, Orbia/Vestolit, Mannington Mills, Coperion/K-Tron, Lockheed Martin, PSEG Energy and Environmental Research Center, Hope Creek Generating Station, Subaru of America, the Bancroft School, IUOE Local 825 Training Center, Jefferson Health’s Cherry Hill campus, New Jersey American Water, Rizzieri Aveda School and Resorts Casino Hotel.

In addition to the in-depth company tours, the educators took part in three panel discussions focusing on the changing workplace, South Jersey’s utilities and communications companies and the past, present and future of Atlantic City. The teachers also participated in group projects and activities that explored economic concepts and business issues that closely relate to workplace readiness, and, from there, were challenged to create lesson plans to incorporate these themes into their classrooms.

Page, an educator for over 20 years who has taught at Bordentown Regional High School since 2010, called the South Jersey Institute for Educators program an “invaluable” opportunity.

“This program was a phenomenal experience for educators that have a true interest in their students’ lifelong success,” Page told TAPinto Bordentown. “Learning about the businesses that are right in our backyard and the history they carry in advancing employees education for successful family sustaining careers was invaluable and I am so eager to share with my students and staff.” 

“These past three weeks were packed with trips to manufacturing companies, the nuclear power plant, food companies, hospitals and refineries just to name a few,” Page continued. “Key presenters shared the soft and hard skills they are looking for in employees — our students — and how one can benefit from working in their business.”

“Educators can take this rich knowledge back to the classroom and prepare engaging lessons to infuse these life skills to our curriculum for a more meaningful educational experience for our students. I am so grateful to be a part of this opportunity,” said Page, who thanked Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey President Christina Renna, Ambassador Committee Chair Dr. Keisha Taylor and Government Affairs Manager Hilary Chebra for hosting the Institute.

Educators who took part in the program earned 100 hours of professional development credits and received a stipend of $2,000, along with all materials required for the program and transportation to and from tours, which spanned throughout the region.

Educators’ participation in the South Jersey Institute for Educators program was sponsored by several regional businesses, including Atlantic City Electric, Bancroft, Campbell Soup Company, Coperion K-Tron Pitman, Inc., Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative (ELEC) 825, Five Below, IPAK, Jefferson Health, LAN Associates, Lockheed Martin, M&T Bank, Mannington Mills, Inc., NJM Insurance Group, Orbia/Vestolit, New Jersey American Water, Paulsboro Refining Company LLC, PNC Bank, PSEG Nuclear, Radwell International, Inc., Ravitz Family Markets, Rizzieri Aveda School, Rowan University-Rohrer College of Business, South Jersey Gas, Stono Public Affairs, Subaru of America, Inc. and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

For more information about the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, visit https://www.chambersnj.com/.