Janet Scordinsky ’94 Creates Endowed Scholarship to Expand Opportunities for Aspiring Teachers
July 8, 2026
After more than four decades in the classroom, Janet Scordinsky ’94 M.A. understands the lasting impact a dedicated teacher can have. She and her husband have pledged $50,000 to help shape the next generation of educators by establishing the Janet and John Scordinsky Endowed Scholarship in Secondary Education.
Scordinsky’s connection to Kean began in the 1970s, when she enrolled in certification courses while teaching full-time. She later returned to earn her Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in 1994, balancing the demands of her career with evening classes.
“It was the most challenging, but most rewarding, five years of classes I have ever had,” Scordinsky said.
That experience left a lasting impression. Scordinsky credits Kean with strengthening her approach as an educator and reinforcing her belief in the power of support and perseverance. She went on to spend 42 years teaching English in New Jersey, including 22 years at Sayreville War Memorial High School, where she guided students through one of the most pivotal moments in their lives – preparing for college.
Scordinsky often recommended Kean to her own students, hoping they would find the same sense of opportunity and support that shaped her journey.
“The classes I had were excellent, and the professors were always available,” Scordinsky said. “They understood that I was working full time and still knew I could succeed.”
Now, she and John are giving back in a way that reflects those values. The endowed scholarship will help reduce financial barriers for students pursuing careers in secondary education, opening doors for those who may otherwise not have access.
“I want a student to have the same experience I had at Kean,” Scordinsky said. “To receive an outstanding education without the burden of college debt.”
For the Scordinskys, the scholarship is more than financial support, it is an investment in the future of education. By helping aspiring teachers succeed, they hope to strengthen the profession and expand opportunities for generations of students to come. Janet has also included Kean in her estate plans, ensuring that her support of students will continue for years to come.
Looking ahead, they are especially excited about the possibility of meeting a scholarship recipient and seeing the impact of their gift firsthand.
“We are hoping to encourage someone to pursue teaching as a career,” Scordinsky said. “To meet them and know we are helping shape their future, that would be like a dream.”