Teacher centers, ELT join to support educators
Dan LaFica, director of the Wayne-Finger Lakes Teacher Center, shares a SONY micro PC mini laptop with other directors.
Teacher centers, the statewide union and its Education & Learning Trust must work together like a three-legged stool to strengthen teachers' professional voices. In remarks to representatives from 130 teacher centers across the state, NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi called on the leaders to keep professional development solid and stable.
"To continue to be a source of professional development for our members, these three legs must constantly be working together," Iannuzzi said at the statewide meeting hosted by NYSUT.
The annual meeting brings together leaders from all of the state's teacher centers to celebrate successes -- including an additional $3 million in state funding, bringing the statewide commitment to $40 million.
"It's an opportunity for us to come together to hear what individual centers or committees are doing," said Anne Marie Voutsinas, former director of the Syracuse Teacher Center. "We also hear from our strategic partners, NYSUT and the State Education Department, to make sure our directors are aware of current initiatives and areas of focus."
Pictured above: NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira with Aminda Gentile, a NYSUT Board member who directs hundreds of centers in New York City.
Success stories
Some centers shared reports of successful programs. Directors in the lower Hudson Valley have developed a teacher leaders program with Manhattanville College.
At the Scarsdale Teacher Institute, Director Susan Taylor teamed up with the Lincoln Center to host a summer institute supporting a district commitment to learning through the arts.
Breakout sessions gave leaders the latest on technology for the classroom and training on the latest professional development requirements.
The ultimate goal of the meeting -- and teacher centers -- Iannuzzi said, is to make sure educators are prepared to meet the challenges in the classroom, including working to end the achievement gap.
"Education is in the spotlight," Iannuzzi said. " New York's unprecedented investment in education will only continue if we demonstrate success."
Too many children are still struggling, he added, including poor children, children of color and children of immigrants.
"Working collaboratively with NYSUT's ELT and local unions, we will ensure the delivery of quality professional development is seamless," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira.
-- Clarisse Butler Banks