Teaching assistants at the Syracuse City School District are learning essential job skills from the only people who know the job inside and out: their colleagues.
The Syracuse Teachers Association partnered with NYSUT’s ELT to create a sustainable, member-led professional learning model that builds capacity from within. Through the initiative, Syracuse teaching assistants receive facilitator training, curriculum, coaching, and ongoing support from ELT, preparing them to become approved ELT facilitators and ongoing facilitators.
Rather than relying solely on outside trainers, these new facilitators deliver high-quality professional learning to their colleagues and because they have firsthand experience in the role, they bring credibility and real-world understanding to every training session.
“Training becomes more relatable when it’s done by someone who has done the job,” explained Cynthia Pace, lead TA coach and a member of the Syracuse TA.
The model also creates opportunities beyond the district. Once approved through ELT, facilitators may deliver trainings to neighboring districts.
“The opportunity is definitely there for them to earn extra income but, more importantly, they’re going to get the knowledge and wisdom they need to support their colleagues.”
Teaching assistants help with everything from feeding and toileting to implementing IEPs and providing one-on-one instruction, but members in Syracuse weren’t being properly trained or supported, and that was leading to high turnover rates, Pace said.
Bernice Rivera, NYSUT Education and Research Assistant, leads training for Syracuse SRPs.
Nicole Capsello, president of the Syracuse TA, agreed. “Some of our buildings literally have people coming in who have no idea what the job involves. They have no idea what they’re getting into,” said Capsello. “It was a constant revolving door.”
With the new facilitator-led training program in place, Capsello and Pace say teaching assistants will stay put — and flourish in their profession. “This new training program will help our members become better at what they do and find satisfaction in their jobs,” said Pace.
“This is a career-builder for our members,” said Capsello. “We want to keep them here and keep them moving up the career ladder.”
In addition to teaching vital work skills, facilitator-led trainings will also help teaching assistants complete their certification. Members can even pursue their associate degree through a district partnership with Onondaga Community College or earn their teaching certification through one of NYSUT ELT’s online degree programs at Empire State University or Mercy University.
Syracuse’s new facilitator program is the latest step the local union has taken to guard against high employee turnover. In 2024, the local helped implement a Lead Teaching Assistant program. Modeled on a similar program at East Syracuse-Minoa, the Lead TA program ensures that each building in the district has an experienced veteran teaching assistant onsite who can run point on issues and give newly hired members feedback and guidance. These 29 Lead TAs are, in turn, led by Pace, who holds monthly meetings to share challenges and problem-solve.
This past year, thanks to an increased emphasis on mentorship, 50 members participated in study groups together and earned their teaching assistant certification. “I’m extremely excited about how far we’ve come and where we’re going,” said Pace.
Next year, the Syracuse TA hopes to train more facilitators, including other SRP titles, and boost the quality and variety of training.
“The key is to keep employees, and in order to keep them, we’ve got to make sure they feel supported and prepared,” said Capsello.
For more information about professional learning through ELT, visit: https://elt.nysut.org/professional-learning