Gloria Adkinson

A Lifetime of Service to Public Education and the Manchester Community

Gloria Adkinson is a retired educator who dedicated 33 years to teaching and coaching various sports in the Lakewood Public School District. She is seeking re-election to a second term on the Manchester Township Board of Education.

Gloria and her husband, Elton, are the proud parents of a blended family of two sons and two daughters, as well as five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. They reside in Manchester’s Renaissance community.

A retired educator, Gloria spent a long and distinguished career dedicated to public education and was an active member of the New Jersey Education Association. Throughout her career, she served in numerous association leadership roles, participated in candidate screening committees, served as an NJEA Congressional Contact, and served on the NJEA Government Relations Committee. Her commitment to educators and public schools has continued in retirement through her active involvement in both the New Jersey Retirees' Education Association (NJREA) and the Ocean County Retired Educators Association (OCREA).

Since being elected to the Manchester Township Board of Education in 2023, Gloria has brought that experience to her role as a Board member. She believes Board members have a responsibility to come to meetings prepared, listen to parents, taxpayers, teachers, and staff, ask informed questions, and responsibly oversee the public's investment in its schools.

Gloria has also made being present in the community a priority. Her involvement with Manchester schools stretches back decades and has included sporting events, concerts, scholarship programs, awards ceremonies, plays, graduations, proms, Manchester Day, and numerous other school and community activities.

As a Board member, Gloria believes strongly in respectful collaboration among the Board, administration, educators, and support staff. She recognizes the essential contribution of paraprofessionals and other educational support professionals and believes strong schools depend upon the many different people who work with students every day.

Gloria's service extends well beyond the school district. She is active in civic and community organizations and currently serves as President of the Manchester Township Democratic Club. Her election to the Board in 2023 was also historic, as she became the first woman of color to serve on the Manchester Township Board of Education.

Education

B.A in Social Studies K-12 from Georgian Court University

A.A. Ocean County College

Graduated from Lakewood High School

Career & Volunteering

I'm a retired history teacher from Lakewood public school district where I taught for 33 years and coached Middle School Girls Basketball and Softball. I also coached HS track, bowling and field hockey.

I served as a Senior Representative in the Middle School and was an Ocean County Teachers Association Government Relations Chair and Congressional Contact Committee member. Presently, I'm a Government Relations for Retired Educators Committee Chair and a member of NJEA Government Relations Committee member.

As an avid volunteer, I'm also a member of th Ocean County & NJ State Women's Bowling Association Boards, NAACP member, Member of Macedonia Baptist Church serving as Deaconess, Missionary, MFL Inc Trustee, and serve on several youth programs and scholarship commitees. I've achieved Lakewood High School Hall of Fame and Ocean County WBA Hall of Fame.

Issues that are Important to me...

Expanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Improving Special Education Services
Addressing Mental Health in our School Community

My Family

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