Since 1991, the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey has hosted the South Jersey Summer Institute for Educators. This annual program brings together local educators each July to develop skills that will allow them to support the community with tools to better prepare the future workforce.
Nicole Keurzi, Director of Education and Workforce Development at the Chamber of Commerce, shared that the program’s original founder “had a wife that was a teacher, and he would come home, essentially complaining how the workforce that he had [at his refinery] was not prepared. They created this program together, thinking, instead of bringing students into businesses themselves, bringing teachers in to have a larger reach”. The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey took over management a few years after its inception.
The program, which focuses on educators in grades 5-12, intends to build a link between the business and education communities by familiarizing teachers with key economic, business and public policy issues that impact business and industry; providing teachers with a better understanding of the skills and characteristics their students will need to be successful in the workforce; and involving participants in team projects to develop curriculum that incorporates the lessons of the Institute in the classroom. This year’s teachers represented schools in Bridgeton, Camden, Cherry Hill, Folsom, Medford, Mullica Hill, Pemberton, Sewell, Sicklerville, Vineland, Woodstown, and Woolwich Township.
Megan Daniel of the Bancroft School in Mt. Laurel provided a program overview with the highlights that teachers expect to gain during their three weeks together, including a focus on soft skills — like punctuality, interpersonal communication, maintaining a positive attitude — and career exploration.
Teachers who participate in the series receive a $2000 stipend; 100 professional development hours; and visits to 20+ area businesses and trades. Jefferson Health Cherry Hill hosted this year’s cohort on July 27 for two hours to share about recruitment and career pathways and provide a tour of the facility.
Jeanine Delaney, a 2026 participant and business teacher at Kingsway Regional in Woolwich, described the cohort’s experience at Jefferson: “When we went to Jefferson, we were able to experience things that no one else gets an opportunity to see behind the scenes. We toured their state-of-the-art ICU hospital rooms. We saw how technology and innovation are affecting the way people are working…When the panel was discussing work readiness and interview techniques, they were giving me information that I could literally turn key back with my students.”
These connections made during these visits support educators in growing the ability to encourage students to identify their unique interests and understand the diverse, often hidden, career paths available in South Jersey.
“Students entering healthcare careers, whether in nursing, medical imaging, or hospital business operations, are generally well-prepared in the technical aspects of their chosen fields. However, discussions highlighted the growing need for additional development in face-to-face communication, conflict resolution, and problem solving skills,” shared Frank Rocco, MSN, RN, NE-BC VP of Operations at Jefferson Cherry Hill. These soft skills are exactly what this year’s cohort will bring back to their classrooms this fall.
Since the institute’s inception 30-plus years ago, more than 700 teachers from dozens of South Jersey schools have “graduated,” impacting more than 65,000 students. The 2027 program applications will open on January 1, 2027. All information regarding the application can be found online at www.chambersnj.com/sjsi/
