Award-winning, Camden County educators host NJTV Learning Live

(Camden, NJ) – As the coronavirus pandemic forces students to stay home, away from their schools and classrooms, New Jersey’s teachers have had to find innovative ways to reach them and continue their education. Part of this expansive initiative is NJTV Learning Live, a program featuring lessons taught by New Jersey teachers, hosted by Camden County’s own Kimberly Dickstein Hughes, New Jersey’s 2019-2020 State Teacher of the Year. Ten other Camden County teachers have been featured thus far in the programming.

The initiative was designed to advance learning during the statewide school closures and was created through a partnership between NJTV, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and the state Department of Education (DOE). Dickstein Hughes serves as the host of the program and provides the intro and mindfulness practice to each segment.

“The effort we have seen from our state’s teachers and educators during this crisis has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we are incredibly proud to have one of Camden County’s finest educators hosting this collaborative initiative to keep our community’s children engaged and learning,” said Freeholder Louis Cappelli, Jr. “In a moment when our students need stability and support, our teachers have given countless hours and an unprecedented effort to be there for them.”

NJTV Learning Live began airing on April 6 and offers four programs for grades 3 to 6 every weekday. Third-grade instruction begins at 9 a.m.; fourth-grade programming is at 10 a.m.; fifth grade is 11 a.m.; and sixth-grade instruction begins at noon.

Subjects include English language arts, math, science, social studies, and a “special” subject such as art, music or physical education. Each hourlong segment features a lesson recorded by a New Jersey teacher from his or her home.

“NJTV Learning Live connects all students regardless of access and ability to not only continuous learning and enrichment but also to their familiar and fun school routines” said Dickstein Hughes. “This equity initiative prioritizes social emotional wellness during an otherwise abnormal time for kids.”

The NJEA works with the DOE to invite teachers to participate, and the DOE reviews and selects them. NJTV, New Jersey’s public television network, produces and broadcasts the programs.

NJTV Learning Live is scheduled to run through June 19. The on-air classroom lessons will be livestreamed and archived on the network’s website, NJTVonline.org. To find your local NJTV channel, visit the NJTV’s Where to Watch page, here.

For more information Kimberly Dickstein Hughes, New Jersey’s 2019-2020 State Teacher of the Year will be joining Freeholder Director Cappelli in his next Facebook Live COVID-19 update to talk about the program at 11 a.m. on May 12.