ATLANTIC CITY-- Thousands of New Jersey Education Association members from across the Garden State converged on the Atlantic City Convention Center for the start of their annual two-day conference. Their focus is on success for every child but these public school teachers don't think our newly elected governor agrees.

Recognized as the largest educational gathering of its kind anywhere in the world, the NJEA convention's goal is harboring success of every child, but members are not too sure our newly elected governor, Chris Christie is on the same page. "Hopefully he can bring some good changes...I'm not very hopeful...from things I've heard," said Nicole Gizzi, 1st through 5th grade resource room teacher in Ridgewood, Bergen County.

After giving their unanimous endorsement, the powerful state teachers union is considering Corzine’s loss a major upset for public education in the Garden State.

The NJEA said during his first term, Corzine increased education funding and expanded the states preschool program to help close the achievement gap between urban and suburban students.

Meanwhile, governor elect Chris Christie’s urban education agenda includes increasing the number of charter schools and introducing state funded vouchers for parents to enroll them in.

Teachers in those areas aren't too happy. "I just hope they realize vouchers are a piece of garbage and that the only thing it does is absolutely nothing at all," said Anthony Beatini who has been teaching for 33 years in West New York, Hudson County.

Christie, who's own children attend Catholic parochial schools says he believes children do better in urban charter schools they attend 11 months out of the year than they do at urban public schools and public school teachers here at the convention have a different opinion. "There are really strong educators and to work in an urban area you have to really care about what you do I really don't think he knows what he's talking about," said Gizzi.

Christie defends his position by saying charter schools in Newark are teaching children at a third the cost of regular public schools.

He plans on asking for an audit of every school district in an attempt to uncover spending that doesn't directly help educate students.

Christie says he expects problems with the NJEA when he moves forward with his plans and members of the NJEA say bring it on. “I don't think he knows a lot about us, he doesn't know our strength."


The NJEA says New Jersey has been named one of the four smartest states in the country based on the quality of its public and elementary schools.