NYSED Deputy Commissioner visits TSTT; Participates in Education Roundtable

Oct. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers (TSTT) facilitated a day-long visit to lower Westchester County by NYSED Office of Higher Education Deputy Commissioner Joseph Frey, which was highlighted by a education roundtable: “A Conversation with Deputy Commissioner Frey.”  The education roundtable, facilitated by TSTT and hosted by Greenburgh Central 7 School District, was attended by nearly 20 area school superintendents, college deans, business and community partners.

“TSTT is an organization that thrives on collaboration,” says Bettye H. Perkins, Ed.D, President & Founder of TSTT.  “The premise of the roundtable was to bring our varied partners together in a setting where each of our differing perspectives could determine common solutions to the educational challenges facing New York State.”

In his opening remarks, Deputy Commissioner Frey credited TSTT for being “the transformative model we need to grow within New York.”

He added, “TSTT is committed to developing quality teachers who remain in the classroom well beyond the average timeframe of new teachers.  We’re at a crossroads in New York State.  It’s becoming increasingly difficult to prepare teachers to meet the needs of students, but through sharp focus through forums such as our roundtable discussion, the injection of funds from sources such as Race to the Top and the development of innovative programmatic solutions such as TSTT, we will change the educational landscape.”

Specific target areas discussed at the roundtable included:

•   The value of Teachers’ Centers in the professional development of teachers
•   The need for multi-lingual solutions to meet a growing diverse population
•   Innovative classroom setups of the future, such as virtual high schools
•   State-wide assessments “wish lists”
•   The development of school leadership

“TSTT is a cost-effective model that should be replicated,” Deputy Commissioner Frey concluded.  “The enriching experiences I’ve heard about in this roundtable setting merit serious consideration that will be discussed in Albany.”

Dr. Perkins agreed, adding, “The premise behind TSTT has always been clear – we know the teaching profession holds the key to success for America.  After all, without caring and competent teachers, we cannot nurture the scientists, doctors, business leaders and even future teachers that will move this country forward.  TSTT’s eight-year collaborative model has been strengthened through this event and we will continue to partner with students, parents, school districts, colleges, corporate and community partners to keep our vision alive.”  

In addition to the roundtable, Dr. Perkins escorted Deputy Commissioner Frey to Ossining High School where he observed TSTT’s first 10-year teacher, Emerly Martinez, lead his social studies students in a mock trial.  Afterward, Mr. Martinez joined Dr. Perkins, Deputy Commissioner Frey, Ossining High School Principal Josh Mandel; Superintendent of Schools Dr. Phyllis Glassman; Deputy Superintendent Raymond Sanchez; Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education and Administrativon Dr. Angela White; Ludy
Morales-Rivera, teacher and TSTT Teacher-Mentor and two Ossining High School TSTT students for a brief discussion about the impact of TSTT in Ossining Public Schools.


                  

About Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers
TSTT is a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization designed to recruit, mentor and prepare economically-challenged, culturally-diverse students to become teachers. It comprises hundreds of students, teachers, superintendents, colleges and universities, and business and community leaders who are working together to improve the educational outcomes of students.  Since its founding in 1994, TSTT has experienced steady significant growth—from just seven students from Westchester County to nearly 600 students in New York, Connecticut and Virginia.  For more information, contact Karla Jones (914) 345-3444, ext. 15 or visit www.tstt.org.

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Not-for-profit whose mission is to recruit, mentor and place economically-challenged and culturally-diverse high school students through college to employment as teachers and leaders who can then strengthen their communities.