Meet John Najar

Are you concerned that video/computer games are having a negative effect on your child/teen? John Najar wants to help you help your child with video game addiction. Current research shows video and computer games negatively impact children and teens, simply seducing players with the implied promise of world control--the game world.

Mr. Najar, well-known throughout the educational community, continues to be involved with children. From the classroom to the community, from the elementary to university level, John has dedicated his life to improving the lives of children academically, socially, and emotionally. John's mission includes:

• Programs designed to help elementary students understand the effects and consequences of decision making
• Development of problem-solving techniques for Monmouth Family Court System
• Compilation of curriculum for addiction centers
• Publication of programs demonstrating the downside of playing video/computer games.

John's experience ranges from teacher to administrator and, from supervisor to educational consultant in the school community and the community at large. He brings decades of experience, research, and knowledge applying brain based education and learning styles to help your family face and overcome the video/computer game addiction sweeping through the youth of the nation.

How My Grandson Transformed My Perception of Video/Computer Games

Today technology and media has had a profound affect on our younger population. They have access to cell phones, text messaging, video/computer and I pods. Over 85% per cent of our homes have some form of media. Our children and teens are given gifts by the parents, grandparents, and friends. Many of us are not familiar with the content and use of video/computer games. As a grandparent I fit in into that category. Last summer we had a weekend visit from our Grandson Cole. After dinner at our local pizza restaurant we headed home. When we arrived at our home, Cole asked if he could use the computer to review the latest video and computer games. I said "OK with me." I was curious about the types of games he was watching so I asked to view the videos. He said he would give me a lesson so that I could access the information in the future.

As we started to watch the videos, a pop-up appeared on the screen asking for personal information. We removed the pop up quickly. He emphasized that there were good and bad sites. Cole said young children should not view the pictures and words on certain video/computers. They're just for adults.

That got me thinking about what else he was watching. After he left for home I became curious and visited the bad site. What I saw was disgusting. It was immediately blocked. He now plays video/computer games under supervision. My power point classroom presentation, "The Negative Effects of Video/Computer Games on Children and Teens," is the first of its type to assist in combating video/computer addiction.

I have worked as a school teacher, principal, supervisor of instruction, and college teacher. My first teaching experience was working in North Hanover Township, in Burlington County, then to Neptune Township in Monmouth. My employment continued as a Supervisor of Instruction and Principal in Burlington County for the Pemberton Township Schools The names of the schools were Harker-Wylie Laurel Hill Schools. I was then asked to be the Principal of Fort Dix School.

I returned to Monmouth County and became Principal of Old Mill School their New Elementary School. I spent over 20 years in Wall Township.

During my tenure in the Wall Township Schools the community asked about Alcohol and Drug education. We responsed by providing programs dealing with positive decision making by elementary school students. A program started by the Red Bank Soroptimist Club, the State Department of Addiction Services, supported by Monmouth College were training educators in the Jersey Shore. The curriculum consisted of addiction prevention education and social problem techniques. The members of the included; Dr. Helen Greenleaf of Red Bank, Dr. Shapiro, of Monmouth College, and Fran Micieli from the Department of Addiction Prevention. At the end of the training I invited the group to my school in Wall Township, NJ.

My staff at Wall Central School agreed to adapt the new program. It was a great success. The program "Here Is Looking at Your 2000" was then placed in all schools schools throughout Wall Township. The K-12 decision making concepts help to shape the problem solving techniques and prevent the use of Alcohol and Drugs in the community. Our school received a an award from the State of New Jersey for this program.

My career as an educator has changed to that of an addiction prevention educator focusing on ATOT, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs. I was asked to conduct classes throughout New Jersey in Addiction Prevention. As part of my academic preparation, I had the honor of attending Harvard and MIT in the late 80's and 1994 (International Year of Thinking).

The information that I received at Harvard and MIT helped me to prepare my career in addiciton. The two summer sessions dealth with creative, critical thinking, and problems solving. These techniques were applicable to the four domains of knowledge. They included; education, science, business, and education. I am entering my 16 year in the field of addiction prevention.

For the last 12 years I have worked in the Department of Education at Brookdale Community College. My work includes preparing prospective students to become teachers. I have worked in the graduate school of Monmouth University preparing those students to become administrators and supervisors. My work at Fairleigh Dickenson University assisted students to become educators from other occupations. These classes help them make the transfer easier.

I have been asked to help make families and communities stronger. This work assist parents and senior citizens with raising their children and grandchildren. Today more than ever the community is being asked to shoulder the burden of children care.It is an honor to serve Parents and Senior Citizens in this endeavor.

For the last two years I have worked in the area of Computer/Video Addiction. My chance came when my grandson reviewed the hazards of viewing these games. it was through his introduction, my deceased wife Peggy Najar's support, and help from family and friends that helped me to address this emerging addiction. This has become my life's work. Saving children, teens, and adults from the negative effects of Computer/Video Games.

I have had the honor of serving on local, county, and state education and addiction councils. My career has been advanced by my family, friends, and mentors in my life. Their support has made my success possible. I am the recipent of their love and friendship. It is my hope that we can keep our families and communities stronger. We as a nation need and must demand that our public officals reflect our needs and concerns as a people, "Families First" must be our motto.