Dr. Janelle Alexander, Foundation’s Newest Board of Trustees Member, Remains Committed to Bridging the Gap Between K-12 and Higher Education

As a child, Janelle Alexander, Ph.D., never anticipated a career in education, a field she describes as “the family business.” Her mother and aunt – the latter of whom served as the first Black female science teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, New Jersey – enjoyed distinguished and trailblazing careers in the classroom. Yet, early on in life, it didn’t seem like the path for Dr. Alexander.

Ironically, it was this very upbringing that opened her eyes to the importance of education and its profound impact on young people. Today, Dr. Alexander’s resumé includes time as a teacher, principal, professor, district administrator and now the Forman Acton Foundation’s newest Trustee.

“Never say never,” Dr. Alexander quipped.

Dr. Alexander honed her outlook on education as a first-year teacher in the Mount Laurel (New Jersey) School District, where she quickly identified a troubling lack of representation and marginalized voices.

“As the only teacher of color in my building, I found myself advocating for and creating spaces for minority students,” Dr. Alexander said. “These efforts clarified and provided the initial impetus for a vision I continue to work toward, a vision that compels me to uplift the voices of all students, wherever I may go.”

Dr. Alexander has amassed over two decades of experience in K-12 and higher education practice and policy, and her own academic pedigree is equally remarkable. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in special education from Rowan University, she later earned a master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Ph.D. in education with an emphasis on access, success and equity from Rowan University. Dr. Alexander also holds K-6 elementary education, K-12 special education and principal certifications from the State of New Jersey, as well as administrative science certifications in global leadership and human resources.

Following her time in Mount Laurel, the accomplished educator served as a special education teacher in the Deptford (New Jersey) School District for nine years. She departed the public education system in 2010 and founded The Kingdom Charter School of Leadership, the first charter elementary school in Gloucester Township, New Jersey. As founder and then principal, Dr. Alexander worked to maintain a core tenet of her educational philosophy: the interconnectedness between home, school and the student. She recounts visiting students’ homes after school to foster connections with their families.

“For students, school shouldn’t end at 3 o’clock,” Dr. Alexander said. “We must establish a connection between home and school to ensure the optimal success of each and every child.”

Since her time at The Kingdom Charter School, Dr. Alexander has served as the PK-8 Special Services and Curricula Program Administrator for the Woodlynne School District in Oaklyn, New Jersey, and as an adjunct professor and the Assistant Director of Equity, Access and Strategic Enrollment Management at Rowan University. For her alma mater, she acted as a liaison for strategic enrollment, promoting educational access for underrepresented students.

It was at this point in time that Dr. Alexander completed her Ph.D. The experience of achieving a terminal degree was refreshing, she says, as she was able to apply her experiences in and out of the classroom to her research.

“Completing my doctorate afforded me the opportunity to explore new theories and ideas,” Dr. Alexander said. “It allowed me to connect the dots between my lived experiences and actual systemic change.”

Currently, Dr. Alexander serves as the Director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB) for the Washington Township (New Jersey) Public School District. In this position, she supports professional development, responds to cultural- and climate-based issues in the district, and offers support to the Washington Township community through data collection and literature.

“I actually added ‘Belonging’ to my title and the title of the office I’m in charge of leading,” Dr. Alexander said. “Diversity, inclusion and equity are all important concepts, but we must still question whether or not our work is helping students feel as if they truly belong in their school communities.”

As a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Alexander hopes to bridge the gap between K-12 and higher education. She has a unique understanding of this very connection, given her experience working in the primary, secondary and post-secondary education settings. Additionally, Dr. Alexander hopes to promote growth and retention among Forman Scholars, easing each of them into successful and fulfilling post-graduate careers. Above all else, she views the Foundation and its work supporting the Salem community as an example for organizations across the country to follow.

“Right now, we are focused on assisting students here in Salem, and that is fantastic,” Dr. Alexander said. “But my ultimate goal is to have us impact communities and school districts nationwide so that they can uplift and assist their students in achieving greatness.”