For Janine Conti, teaching is a journey that began unexpectedly and continues to grow through her work in the classroom and her studies at Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). For over 20 years, Conti has worked at the Northern Burlington County Regional School District in Columbus, New Jersey. She is now pursuing her PhD in education with a concentration in literacy and learning while continuing to inspire students every day.  

Discovering a Passion for Education 

Conti's path to becoming an educator did not begin the way many people might expect. As an undergraduate, she was not studying education at all. 

“I was studying advertising as part of a business program at Rider University,” she said. 

Everything changed during a college course called Minding Our Business. The course partnered college students with middle school students in a local urban community. Throughout the semester, middle school students developed business ideas and eventually had the chance to run their businesses themselves. 

“Working with kids and helping them learn, grow and become thoughtful members of their community was where I realized I had a passion for teaching,” she shared. 

That experience stayed with her and led her to pursue a teaching certification through a post-baccalaureate program at West Chester University. 

Joining the Holmes Scholar Community 

Years into her teaching career and already pursuing graduate studies at CEHD, Conti began looking for opportunities to deepen her impact. That next step came when she received an email about the Holmes Scholar program from Associate Dean of Student Success Jennifer Johnson, an opportunity that immediately caught her attention. 

“I thought it would be a great fit,” she said. “It really connected with what I stand for in my own work in education especially as I pursue my PhD.” 

For Conti, being a Holmes Scholar is more than recognition. “Being a Holmes Scholar means being part of a community of people who truly value education and the preparation of future teachers,” she said. 

One of the things she looks forward to most is building connections with others in the field. 

“I’m really looking forward to connecting with peers and mentors and taking advantage of professional development opportunities that will help me better support my students and future educators,” Conti added. 

Early Experiences That Shaped Her Perspective 

Long before her career began, Conti had formative experiences that shaped the way she views community and education. One of the most impactful came during high school, when she volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. Through a school club, she traveled to Kentucky to help build homes and connect with families in the community. 

“I think it was in that community engagement that I really felt a strong pull toward working with other people to make the world a better place,” she said. 

She often finds herself remembering moments from her own education and sharing those stories with her students. 

“There are so many points in my education moments with teachers stuck with me,” she said. “Sometimes I share those stories with my students. It’s a cool way for my own teachers’ impact to continue over time.” 

Pursuing a Doctoral Degree 

As her career developed, Conti began thinking about the next step she wanted to take professionally. She had always been interested in supporting future educators and knew that working in higher education would allow her to do that. 

“When I started taking teacher education classes, I realized how much I enjoyed the methods of courses and my student teaching experience,” she said. “I knew early on that I eventually wanted to support pre-service teachers.” 

A pivotal moment during her first semester of doctoral study gave her confidence that she had made the right decision. 

“I remember sitting in class during a deep discussion and feeling really challenged,” she recalled. “When I walked out and got to my car, I remember thinking ‘I did it.’ That was the moment I realized this was the right place for me.” 

Balancing Graduate School and Teaching 

Balancing work, life and graduate school requires careful planning and flexibility. As a part-time student, Conti travels into the city twice a week for classes while continuing to teach full-time. 

“It’s really about having a routine and being flexible,” she said. “Sometimes that means waking up early on a Saturday morning when the house is quiet to get reading done.” 

Support from family and friends has also helped her stay grounded throughout the experience. 

“My husband, my friends and my community have been incredibly supportive,” she said. “Those relationships help me balance the stress of the program.” 

Recently, Conti faced a new professional challenge when she was moved from the middle school where she had taught for a long time to a high school within the same district. The change meant adjusting to new students, new colleagues and a completely different school environment while continuing her doctoral studies. 

“It’s been a really big adjustment,” she admitted. “When you’re teaching, you’re learning and adapting in real time in front of students.” 

Despite the challenge, she views the experience as an opportunity to grow. Teaching at different grade levels, she notes, will give her a broader perspective. 

“Having a wider experience across K–12 education will help me support pre-service teachers even more,” she said. 

Advice for Future Scholars 

Throughout her professional and academic journey, Conti has learned to celebrate the smaller milestones along the way. 

“I try to celebrate each semester,” she said. “Finishing a paper, completing a presentation or just making it through a challenging class reminds me that I’m one step closer to my goal... A lot of success really comes from hard work and believing that you can do it.” 

Her own motivation came from a simple reality. 

“I remember thinking, ‘Why not me?’ If other people could do it, I knew I could too.” 

Continually Inspired 

To ensure a job is more than a job, to fulfill your own purpose, you must find what inspires you. 

“The kids,” she said with a smile. “They inspire me, they challenge me, and sometimes, they drive me a little crazy.” 

Still, those small moments of understanding remind her why she chose this path. 

“When a student suddenly understands something and says, ‘Oh, that makes sense!’, those moments remind me why I keep doing this,” she said. “They’re what keep me passionate about education.”