Two fathers who lost children to suicide are the main reason New Jersey's teachers have been required for years to receive training in the area of suicide prevention on a regular basis.
From these honorees, the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year is usually announced in October, and goes on to compete for the distinction of National Teacher of the Year.
In the 2017-2018 school year, 56 percent of New Jersey's 1.4 million students served were students of color, while teachers of color represented just 16 percent of the educator workforce.
Between 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, the number of bomb threats at New Jersey schools spiked from 39 to 62, according to the most recent report from the state Department of Education.
More than one of every 10 seniors in New Jersey may graduate by having educators review a portfolio of their work, rather than by passing the state’s graduation exam.