Superintendent León, Board President Council Celebrate MENTOR Newark Partnership

MENTOR Newark, District officials to participate in national conference this week.

NEWARK, N.J. – Superintendent León and Board of Education President Hasani K. Council congratulated district officials and their partners at MENTOR Newark for participating in the National Mentoring Summit later this week in Washington, D.C.
 
For the first time, mentoring initiatives from the City of Newark will be featured at the prestigious National Mentoring Summit, which is scheduled to be held from Wed., Jan. 29 through Fri., Jan. 31.

At the conference, Jermaine Blount, the Newark Public Schools’ first Director of Mentoring Services, and Thomas Owens, Executive Director of MENTOR Newark, will present a workshop entitled, A Newark Story: The Impact of New Jersey’s First Director of Mentoring Services.

Jermaine Blount, the Newark Public Schools’ first Director of Mentoring Services
Jermaine Blount, the Newark Public Schools’ first Director of Mentoring Services

“Newark Public Schools believes deeply in the power of mentorship as a key component of student success, and we greatly appreciate our partnership with MENTOR Newark in helping the district provide mentors to our students,” said Superintendent León. “We wish Mr. Owens, Mr. Blount, and all involved the very best as they prepare to present at this week’s National Mentoring Summit.”
 
“A great mentor can make all the difference in a young person’s life by helping them make the right choices to build a prosperous and fulfilling life,” said Board President Council. “We congratulate our district leaders and our partners at MENTOR Newark for their participation in this week’s National Mentoring Summit and look forward to their future success.”

Their presentation will focus on:

  • The collaborative efforts between the Newark Board of Education and MENTOR Newark to establish the city’s first Director of Mentoring Services.
  • Strategies for building a sustainable, engaging, and research-informed mentoring culture within local school districts. 

This workshop is tailored for mentoring professionals and affiliate leaders who work closely with school districts and seek to strengthen their mentoring initiatives.
 
MENTOR Newark will also deliver a 15-minute plenary presentation on Friday afternoon, showcasing A Newark Story. This presentation will debut a short trailer featuring Newark student mentees and highlighting the impactful work of Jermaine Blount.

About Newark Public Schools

The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The District currently enrolls over 40,000 students in 64 schools.  After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the District has opened ten new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming months and years. The Newark Board of Education serves as a beacon of educational excellence, dedicated to nurturing the potential of every student. With a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and fostering a love for learning, the District continues to shape future generations and make a positive impact within the community.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Brubaker, Communications Director
Email: pbrubaker@nullnps.k12.nj.us
Phone: 973-803-6983