CNJ+ July 2025

ONE DAY SHOULDN’T DEFINE A LIFETIME OF SERVICE Melissa Creighton Teacher, East Windsor Regional School District

For nearly two decades, I have devoted myself to educa tion in New Jersey. I’ve spent 19 years teaching, mentor ing, and advocating for students. Yet one small technicali ty—just one day—has profoundly impacted my future and the security I had worked so hard to build. I began my teaching career in Edison Township in 2003. I loved my work and planned to stay there until retire ment. But in 2017, I made a deeply personal and difficult decision to resign when my family moved to a new town to better support one of my children, who has learning dis abilities. The longer commute made it impossible to be the present, supportive parent I needed to be.

one day of service gap meant losing the more favorable retirement benefits I had worked toward for 14 years. My appeals were denied. It’s hard to describe how defeating that felt. I remain in this profession because I love teaching. I love seeing my students grow, helping them overcome challenges, and knowing I make a difference. My administrators, students, and their families recognize my dedication and value—but the system that governs my future security does not. This letter isn’t just about me. It’s about the many educa tors who make sacrifices—often for their families or their own health—and then return to the classroom only to find themselves penalized for doing so. It’s about creating poli cies that reflect compassion, common sense, and fairness. After nearly a decade of asking for this issue to be right

During that time, I focused on navigating the special education system, advocating for my daughter’s Individu alized Education Program (IEP), and helping both of my children thrive in their new schools. Once they were set tled, I returned to teaching—first as a substitute in Millstone Township and later in East Windsor. In 2019, I was finally offered a full-time teaching position again. It felt like a fresh start—until I learned that my pension status had drastically changed. Because I had been out of full-time work for two years and one day, I was moved from Tier 1 to Tier 5 in the pension system. That

ed, I am urging New Jersey legislators to place Bill A1675/S2078 on the next agenda for a concurrence vote, so it can swiftly move to the Gover nor’s desk. This bill is a crucial step toward correcting a gender injustice that affects dedicated women educators like me—those who gave years of service, stepped away to prioritize their families, and returned with the same passion, only to find their future stability compromised by a technicality.

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CNJ+ | FORMERLY THE MILLSTONE TIMES

JULY 2025