Nemnet brings diversity of people and ideas.
Nemnet is an organization dedicated to bringing and keeping diversity in schools, both at a student level and a professional level. The team of six has been in service for 20 years, serving over 500 educational institutions nationwide as well as two international schools. Nemnet is currently headquartered in West Orange, N.J. and donated five percent of its revenue to local and regional charities.
The goal of Nemnet has two main parts, according to founder and CEO, Warren Reid. The first part of the mission is to assist schools and organizations in the recruitment and retention of diverse teachers and administrators. The second part of the mission is to assist thousands of minority students and professionals in their search for professional development and employment in education.
According to Reid, Nemnet offers a variety of recruitment programs and services. “All are designed to leverage our network, experience and technology to increase the exposure and access of schools (employers) and diverse educators (job seekers) to each other,” said Reid.
Some services offered by Nemnet include: online job posting, online resume access, workshops and seminars, career counseling and more.
“We believe that it is impossible to achieve academic excellence without the diversity of ideas, experiences and people,” said Reid. “Currently, people of color represent less than eight percent of the teaching workforce while the student body at most of our schools is close to 30 percent, if not more. There seems to be a disconnect between the recruitment and admission of students of color and the employment of teachers of color. Schools say that they are committed to academic excellence and a diverse faculty and staff, yet most schools are failing miserably at the hiring and retention of diverse faculty and staff.”
According to Reid, research and experience has shown that most schools and the people directly responsible for this work have not been educated or trained in recruitment or HR management. Most cannot identify diversity resources to assist them in the recruitment/retention process.
Additionally, while there is a shortage of teachers of colors there is a healthy supply of qualified educators of color looking for employment that go unemployed each year. “Nemnet casts a broader net to bridge this gap,” said Reid. “In doing so, we also seek to educate and empower our schools through training, workshops and consultations to actualize their stated diversity goals.”
In addition to advocating for education, Nemnet also sponsors a Diversity Career Fair for Educators every year, hosted by the Newark Academy. This is Nemnet’s 14th year participating.
Currently, New Jersey member institutions include: Cherry Hill Public Schools, Christina Seix Academy, Delbarton School, Dwight Englewood School, Far Brook School, Far Hills Country Day School, Gill St. Bernards School, Hamilton Township School District, Hun School of Princeton, Kent Place School, Lawrenceville School, Montclair Kimberley Academy, Moorestown Friends School, Morristown-Beard School, Newark Academy, Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, Peddie School, Pingry School, Ranney School, School District of South Orange and Maple, Stevens Cooperative School, Stuart Country Day School, TEAM Schools, Uncommon Schools in New Jersey and Visions Academy Charter High School.
“Nemnet does not discriminate,” said Reid. “Its membership, services and resources are open to all.”
For more information about Nemnet and what they do, visit their website at nemnet.com.
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