Beloved Educator Dies In South Orange-Maplewood, Community Mourns Her Loss

SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The death of a beloved educator in the South Orange-Maplewood Public School District has left a community in mourning.

The passing of Jane Bean-Folkes – the district’s supervisor of English language arts – has left many people in South Orange and Maplewood with “profound sadness and heavy hearts,” Superintendent Jason Bing wrote Tuesday.

“Dr. Bean-Folkes was more than an exceptional educator—she was a tireless advocate for literacy, equity, and the belief that every child has the right to a high-quality education, regardless of circumstance,” Bing said.

The superintendent penned a letter to the community outlining Bean-Folkes’ many contributions to the two towns:

“Throughout her time in South Orange & Maplewood, Dr. Bean-Folkes poured her heart into her work, always centering the needs of our most marginalized students. Her unwavering dedication to building a love of reading and writing, her high expectations for excellence, and her compassion for the whole child inspired students, staff, and families alike. She pushed us all to think more deeply, to act more boldly, and to never lose sight of the transformative power of education.

“Dr. Bean-Folkes was a devoted educator, scholar, and advocate whose life’s work reflected her unwavering belief in the power of language to transform lives. Earning both her master's and doctorate degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, she dedicated her career to teaching students and mentoring colleagues in education alike. While tirelessly researching and championing multilingual classrooms, Dr. Bean-Folkes cared about African American Language and the educational journeys of students from historically marginalized communities.

“Her impact will be felt for years to come—in the programs she strengthened, in the teachers she mentored, and most importantly, in the countless students whose lives she touched. Dr. Bean-Folkes leaves behind a legacy of empathy, advocacy, and an unshakable belief in the potential of every learner.

“We know this loss will be deeply felt across our schools and community. In the coming days, we will share opportunities to honor her memory and celebrate her life’s work. In the meantime, we encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out for support, whether through our school counseling staff or community resources.

“Our hearts are with her family, friends, colleagues, and all who were fortunate enough to know her. May we continue her mission by carrying forward her passion for literacy and her unwavering commitment to equity.”

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

In honor of Bean-Folkes’ legacy, her family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made towards a literacy grant that will assist teachers in continuing the significant work she dedicated her life to. Donations can be made directly to the Achieve Foundation of South Orange & Maplewood online here.

Funeral arrangements follow below:

• Wake: Thursday, August 21, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Preston Funeral Home, 153 South Orange Ave., South Orange, NJ
• Funeral: Friday, August 22, 10:00 AM, St. Joseph’s Church, 767 Prospect St., Maplewood, NJ

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