M-TRACT

Hi everyone,

It’s been a VERY busy month! I just returned from Albany with Marybeth Rotheim (Unqua) that focused on Common Core, the APPR, and SLO’s. We listened to Ken Slentz (NYS Dept of Ed) and Glen Jeffers (NYSUT). We learned a great deal but there is much more that we all need to be aware of. Teacher Centers are committed to keep you informed

As happens every year, teacher centers need to fight for their place in the budget and we once again ask that you send a fax to your legislator. The Assembly included us but the Senate left us out. At the Committee of 100, one Senator said, “Oh, I though teacher centers were in the budget. They’re not?” We need to remind them.

Time is critical – if you could just click on the following link,

https://mac.nysut.org/faxsenate/widget/issue/73 – you will be brought to the following page. It will only take about 30 seconds of your time.

As always, thanks for your help!
Barbara

I have TERRIFIC news!!!! Teaching Centers have been placed back in the budget!!~! This doesn’t mean we’re completely safe because the budget still has to be voted on but at least we’re IN the budget! I want to thank all of you for your support and especially those who went to the “Write Your Legislator” site at NYSUT. A very special thank you to Jordan McCaw, our PAC representative, who made special note of teaching centers at the Committee of 100!

I know the contest flyers have not yet been distributed. We are waiting to hear who is getting SMART boards next year so that we don’t waste your time. I should hopefully hear by tomorrow.

If you haven’t done so already, please click here to send a letter supporting teacher centers –Letter to my Legislator– click on select this letter and follow the prompts to send a letter in favor of restoring teacher center funding to your legislator. You will only need to choose your home zip code – NYSUT will do the rest. It’s QUICK and EASY!!! Thanks for your help!

Teacher Centers need your help!! Please click on Letter to my Legislator, click on select this letter and follow the prompts to send a letter in favor of restoring teacher center funding to your legislator. You will only need to choose your home zip code – NYSUT will do the rest.

I went to Albany this past Tuesday for my first Committee of 100. Unfortunately, the senators had been called to conference so I was only able to meet with aides. Senator Skelos did make arrangements for us to meet with his senior aide as well as a finance representative. I explained that teacher centers have been funded for the past 25 years and provide quality professional development to teachers and teacher assistants. If teacher centers are no longer funded, teachers with professional certificates will be forced to find classes once provided by teacher centers in order to fulfill their 175 hour PD requirements.

Additionally, I explained the partnerships teacher centers have forged with Intel, Verizon Thinkfinity, Dell, and higher education institutions. Partnerships with Stonybrook, Dowling, Post, Molloy and St. Johns have allowed us to bring graduate courses at discounted prices to our local locations that accommodate teacher schedules.

We are really in danger of losing our funding. The government needs to understand how vital teacher centers are to all of us. Thanks so much for your help!