Samantha Shane, a Lincoln Park native, developed her passion for education while enrolled in Morris County Vocational School District’s Child Related Careers program, now known as Education and Learning. Through hands-on instruction and early exposure to the field, Shane gained the practical experience and confidence needed to pursue a career in education.
“My career and technical education (CTE) was more than just a class. It was a hands-on experience that prepared me for the real world,” said Shane. “By attending a county vocational school, I was able to accelerate into my dream career.”
After graduating high school in 2012, Shane continued her education at Montclair State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English education. She then began her career as an English teacher. During her second year in the classroom, she enrolled in a graduate program at Caldwell University, where she received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.
Early in her career, Shane was recognized with the M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award from the New Jersey Council of Teachers of English, an honor that reflected her impact in the classroom and her growing leadership within the profession.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she submitted an article to Edutopia on effective virtual instruction. That article sparked Shane’s interest in sharing classroom practices with educators nationwide. Since then, she has contributed to The New York Times and authored The Secondary Educator’s CTE Toolkit, a resource designed to help educators integrate career-focused learning into their classrooms.
Through her writing and leadership, Shane has become a nationally recognized voice in education. She has been named an International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 20 to Watch and an Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Emerging Leader, distinctions that reflect her influence within the field.
Today, Shane has returned to Morris County Vocational School District, where she serves as the teacher for the Academy for Education and Learning. In her current role, she focuses on developing meaningful industry experiences for her students, encouraging them to share their ideas, engage in professional opportunities and grow as future educators.
Shane is now dedicated to helping future educators find the same spark she experienced as a student in the very same district.
“I’ve seen firsthand how CTE changes lives,” she emphasized.
