Demarest, NJ, July 9, 2024 – Northern Valley Regional High School District (NVRHSD) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the competitive “Teacher Culture Climate Innovation” grant by the New Jersey Department of Education. This grant, part of a nearly $2 million state funding initiative, is designed to enhance the teacher climate and culture by supporting school districts in reclaiming teacher time and reducing administrative burdens.
This grant program was established to combat teacher burnout and help educators focus their time and efforts on impactful teaching and learning. The program supports innovative practices that streamline operations, reduce administrative paperwork, and leverage cutting-edge technologies, such as new artificial intelligence (AI) tools, to enhance teaching and learning.
“We’re thrilled to have been awarded this grant,” said NVRHSD Superintendent James Santana. “We are eager to continue supporting our educators and to extend the work of meaningfully infusing artificial intelligence that we began in December with the NJ AI Literacy Summit.” In the fall of 2023, NVRHS organized and hosted the first NJ AI Literacy Summit, drawing participants from over 100 school districts throughout the state.
The grant program will run until February 28, 2025, at which point awarded districts will be tasked with measuring and sharing the effectiveness of their innovative practices. The goal is to replicate successful strategies statewide, further enhancing the teaching profession across New Jersey. Northern Valley Regional High School District is one of two districts in Bergen County that was awarded the grant.