Amy DeGise is a proud, lifelong resident of Jersey City. She grew up in the heights with both parents working in the Jersey City School District. Hoping to work in an environment where she could be a positive influence like her parents, Amy earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Montclair State University in 2008 concentrating in History and Education. Immediately after graduating, Amy joined the Hudson County Schools of Technology District at their Jersey City location, County Prep High School, as a certified Social Studies teacher. Amy proudly developed the district’s first Gender Studies Program stemming from her passionate feminist beliefs and desire to empower those who may feel marginalized. Amy completed graduate coursework in 2012, receiving a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology and became a helpful addition to her district’s technology transition team. Amy is currently enrolled in another Graduate Program for her Educational Leadership Certificates. Since 2008, Amy not only taught at the high school level, she has served as a GED/Out of School Youth mentor and as a literacy instructor with Project Impact. As a union advocate, she was elected as the Association’s Recording Secretary and later the Instructional Vice President for the local teacher’s union to support her colleagues.

Prompted to action after the 2016 Presidential Election, Amy sought an appointment on the Jersey City School Board to offer a perspective from inside of the classroom. She was successfully appointed to a vacant seat in January of 2017 and in November of that same year, Amy was elected to serve a full term. She proudly received and accepted the endorsement of the local teachers union, the JCEA. During her term, she fought for educators throughout the city as well as for better programs and activities for their diverse student body. Until her resignation, in February of 2019, she served on the district’s committees for Educational Programs, Special Education, and Technology Solutions.

In June of 2018, Amy became the first woman elected to lead the Hudson County Democratic Organization. She ran on a progressive platform and the desire to build a stronger party platform centering around advocacy. As chairwoman, Amy works with community members to advocate for Hudson County and to connect the community with elected officials on needed resources and policy.

Currently, Amy serves as a work-based-learning coordinator helping to design and execute her district’s School-to-Careers program. Amy also coordinates programs for out-of-school youth and adult learners. In hopes of improving the career-readiness skills necessary for today’s workforce, Amy develops and implements strategies that offer students and adult learners authentic learning experiences as well as expand partnerships for the vocational district to place students in more meaningful working and interning opportunities.

She resides on the Southside of the city with her fiance, Jack Collins, who is a proud Jersey City Firefighter and their rescue dog, Jersey Girl.