Lakewood Education Association

06/24/2026

Victoria Amogretti has dedicated 25 years as a paraprofessional in the Lakewood School District, pouring her heart and soul into every student she serves. Whether she’s supporting students in the classroom, coaching after-school sports, or raising funds for children with special needs, Victoria goes above and beyond every single day.

“I have spent the last 25 years in Lakewood,” she shared, “and I would be beyond saddened if I have to leave because of budget issues.”

Victoria’s story is not just her own—it represents the commitment and compassion of so many educators in our community.

Now is the time to speak up for Victoria and her colleagues. Stand up for the students of Lakewood Public Schools. Let your voice be heard.

Join us tonight at the Board of Education meeting at 7:30 p.m. Our students—and those who serve them—deserve better.

06/24/2026

For the past nine years, Dawn Araneo has shown up—every single day—for the students of Lakewood. As a paraprofessional, Dawn doesn’t just do a job—she builds trust, provides stability, and creates the consistent, structured environment her students need to succeed. She cares so deeply about the children she works with that she earned a perfect attendance award, simply because she didn’t want unfamiliar faces stepping in and disrupting their progress.

Dawn planned to continue doing what she loves—supporting the students who depend on her, in the district she proudly calls home—until the day she retired.

But now, due to budget cuts, Dawn and many dedicated paraprofessionals like her will lose their jobs this June.

Stand with Dawn. Stand with her colleagues. Stand with the students of Lakewood.

Join us at the next Lakewood Board of Education meeting on June 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Our students—and the people who care for them—deserve better.

06/22/2026

This is Eileen Romano, a devoted paraprofessional who has spent nearly 17 years serving the students in the Lakewood School District. She loves working with her students and was recently honored as the Ocean County Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year; a testament to the difference she makes in her students’ lives.

Eileen goes above and beyond for her students and has been trained in CPR, de-escalation strategies, sensory motor play, and working with students with challenging behaviors.

Despite her dedication to her students, Eileen now faces losing her position at the end of June due to budgetary issues.

Eileen is not alone – there are 164 other paraprofessionals also scheduled to lose their
jobs.

Speak up for Eileen and her colleagues. Attend the next Board of Education meeting on June 24 at 7:30. The children of the Lakewood public schools deserve better.

OCCEA
New Jersey Education Association

06/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the Icarus Member Benefits Fair this week! Members enjoyed delicious food from Burger 25, refreshments provided by Icarus, and the chance to learn about valuable member benefits. With great prizes, good food, and a fantastic turnout, the event was a huge success!

05/19/2026

A huge thank you to all of the generous donors who helped make our Casino Night such a fun and successful event! Your support, donations, and contributions helped create an amazing evening for everyone involved. We truly appreciate your kindness and commitment to our members and community.

Please join us in thanking all of the incredible donors listed below for helping make the night possible — we couldn’t have done it without you! 🎲♠️♥️♣️♦️

05/13/2026

What an incredible night at our Casino Night event last week! 🎲✨

Thank you to everyone who came out, supported the event, and helped make the evening such a fun and successful one. From the games and prizes to the laughter and great company, it was truly a night to remember.

A very special thank you to the LEA Social Committee for all of their hard work, planning, and dedication in making this event possible. Your efforts helped create an amazing evening for everyone involved! ♠️♥️♣️♦️

We are so grateful for our wonderful members and community, and we can’t wait for the next event!

05/10/2026

🪻🌷🌻 Happy Mother’s Day to all of our incredible mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, caregivers, and mother figures within our LEA family.

Wishing you a day filled with love, appreciation, and well-deserved celebration! 🪻🌷🌻

05/04/2026

We’re excited to share that Ariel Williams, our 6th grade art teacher at the middle school, is being featured in an online art contest! 🎨👏
Please take a moment to check it out and show your support by visiting the link below. Let’s cheer on one of our talented educators!

When Words Aren't Enough, I Create Art. It Helps Me Express Through Imagery What I Can’t Say Through Words.

05/04/2026

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🍎✨

This week, we celebrate the amazing educators who show up every single day with passion, patience, and dedication. Thank you for inspiring minds, supporting your students, and going above and beyond, often in ways that go unseen.

Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, shaping futures and strengthening our communities. We are so grateful for all that you do!

Be sure to take a moment this week to thank a teacher who has made a difference. 💙📚

05/04/2026

We had an incredible time at the OCCEA overnight workshop this weekend! It was such a great opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow together. From meaningful conversations to shared laughs, the energy and dedication of everyone involved truly made it a special experience.

Thank you to all who participated and helped make the workshop so engaging and worthwhile. We’re already looking forward to the next one!