Editor's note: NYSUT supports this conference as part of the union's efforts to end the achievement gap.

NYSUT has signed on as a premier sponsor of the third annual Teaching & Learning Celebration, a national conference on education to be held March 7-8 in New York City. NYSUT has sponsored the event, run by public television stations Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21, since its inception.

The Teaching & Learning Celebration, which will be held at the Hilton New York, has become known nationally for combining incisive speakers with professional development seminars and exhibits where attendees can preview the latest services and technologies in the field of education.

This year, several thousand educators from the Northeast and other regions of the country are expected to attend.

The National Education Association, a national affiliate of NYSUT's, and the United Federation of Teachers, NYSUT's affiliate in New York City, also are sponsoring the event.

Among those speaking at the conference will be NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi, UFT President Randi Weingarten and the 2008 New York State Teacher of the Year, Richard Ognibene.

Science and math

The focus of this year's conference will be on science, math, global awareness and instructional technology. The event's speakers include legendary primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall; Jean-Michel Cousteau, host of "Ocean Adventures" on PBS; Ann Curry, news anchor for NBC News; Milton Chen, president of the George Lucas Educational Foundation; polar explorer and environmentalist Will Steger; Megan McCormick, host of "Globe Trekker;" and Sudanese supermodel Alek Wek.

Last year, former Vice President Al Gore, who recently won a Nobel Prize for his work promoting the dangers of climate change, addressed attendees at the celebration.

This year's celebration will feature more than 90 professional development seminars.

NYSUT will have a strong presence at the event. The union will host a booth featuring: information on its efforts to close the achievement gap in New York; NYSUT services; and information on college and in-service programs available from the union's Education & Learning Trust.

NYSUT will also host a reception.

"The Teaching & Learning Celebration brings fresh and innovative perspectives to many of the challenges currently faced by educators," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira. "Attendees this year will be able to interact with excellent speakers, attend professional development seminars and learn more about NYSUT's service offerings. We're all looking forward to an engaging event."

For details or to register, visit http://www.thirteencelebration.org/.