NYSUT’s Education & Learning Trust courses are not just a bargain — they’re a bonanza providing members with crucial professional development and often a bump in their paychecks.
Ask East Meadow third-grade teacher Alison Gallina, a new ELT instructor.
“I like learning from other colleagues,” said Gallina (pictured), who under her contract earns thousands more each year with her 60+ credits earned through ELT. “It’s been such a great experience that I wanted to become an instructor myself.”
Gallina was one of about 60 ELT instructors who attended summer training. Participants also celebrated the 40th anniversary for NYSUT’s professional development arm, complete with birthday cake and goodie bags.
“You are a part of one of the most powerful services we provide to educators,” said NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene DiBrango. “Access to meaningful, quality professional development ranks highly among our members as a key reason to stick with their union. You are on the front lines of this important work.”
ELT’s mission is to offer innovative programs that are affordable, flexible, and research based. Available for all teachers and school-related professionals, ELT programs are modeled on best practices, current research-based strategies and classroom application.
DID YOU KNOW?
In most cases, members taking advantage of the discount on ELT courses save more than the NYSUT portion of their dues. ELT offers:
- Courses and seminars that can be used toward the state’s Continuing Teacher & Leader Education professional development requirements;
- Courses for undergraduate, graduate and in-service credit; and
- Offerings to help you meet certification requirements and obtain new certificate titles and extensions.
For more information including the complete course catalog, go to elt.nysut.org.
DiBrango noted the union has more than quadrupled its offerings for SRPs, with popular seminars such as “Addressing Aggressive Student Behavior in Schools” and “ADHD Strategies.” DiBrango said too many districts are not providing educators with the professional development they need, so the union is filling in the gap.
In addition, ELT is constantly adding new courses and seminars to meet educators’ changing needs. This year’s new offerings include coursework revolving around the state’s Next Generation Learning Standards, trauma awareness and instructional recommendations for English language learners.
“It’s such a good way to get to know other teachers and all the good things that are happening in classrooms,” said Jacqueline Nett, a global studies teacher and William Floyd United Teachers member.
“It’s teachers teaching teachers,” said Hempstead Classroom TA’s Carol Davis. “We all piggyback off each other — that’s the heart of what we do.”