A longtime Elizabeth educator, Dr. Thelma Conely-Hurd, is among 50 nominees for The New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Conely-Hurd, made a difference in the lives of young people for generations.
“Dr. Hurd’s impressive career continues to serve as a role model for educators and demonstrated how each one of us can help build a better community through service", a city official said.
Having earned a doctorate in educational administration, Dr. Hurd first began her career in education in 1960. Four years later she was hired as one of the Elizabeth school district’s first African American faculty members.
During her tenure, she served as a teacher at Robert Morris School #18, as a guidance counselor at Battin High School and vice principal of Cleveland Junior High School. She spent the final 40 years of her career as the principal of John Marshall School No. 20.
Dr. Hurd was influential in enforcing a stable learning environment for thousands of children from the surrounding neighborhoods of Elizabeth.
During her leadership, School #20 was transformed into a top performing elementary school, where students tested at or above state averages in most categories on No Child Left Behind exams.
After fifty-one years of educating, she retired in 2011 at John Marshall School #20, where her philosophy on education and strict adherence to the rules established her as one of the most celebrated educators in New Jersey.
According to her obituary in 2013, in addition to education, Dr. Hurd served on the Human Rights Commission for Elizabeth as member and Chair for over three decades.
She also dedicated her time to the Board of Directors of the Poconos Ranchlands, Elizabeth Port Presbyterian Scholarship Board, was a lifetime member of the NJEA, NAACP and was President of the Cottagers (Martha's Vineyard). In addition, she was also involved in numerous community and faith-based endeavors. Her many contributions have been recognized at the local, regional and national levels.
The 8th class of New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees will be announced early this summer.