  |
| |
|
Finding the tools to raise achievement Newburgh, Hempstead locals gain from union conference on ed reform
March 17, 2005 Newburgh TA President Phil Cordella and Stacy Eustance of South Junior High role-play an exercise at the AFT/UFT School Redesign Institute. There is such a thing as loving your job too much. That's what John Eitel was thinking as he drove south on the New York State Thruway to a February weekend conference. "It had been a busy week in a busy month," said Eitel, a building rep, Educational Research and Dissemination coordinator and board of directors member in the Newburgh Teachers Association. As the coordinator of the district's teacher center, which provides professional development for the 1,338 teachers, teaching assistants and substitutes in the union, Eitel said, "I'd just finished training resource coaches on the latest educational research. It's 7 p.m., it's snowing, and I'm driving to Brooklyn for another weekend conference." At the conference, part of a union project called "Redesigning Schools to Raise Achievement," any doubts melted away. First, the information at the three-day institute, sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers and United Federation of Teachers, was research-based and relevant to the mid-Hudson Valley district's needs, Eitel said. Second, he saw how training and professional development, especially through teacher centers, are pivotal to turning low-performing schools around. Potential "I see so much potential for success and would recommend this to anyone who wants to accomplish meaningful school reform," Eitel said. The AFT and UFT, the national and New York City affiliates of New York State United Teachers, started the institute seven years ago. This year marked a high in participation with the 150 leaders from 17 locals and state affiliates. Sessions focus on developing skills to redesign schools. "We know raising student achievement is union work," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira. "Locals from across the country, including Chicago , Florida and California , came together to learn from each other on what it takes to turn schools around. They came to New York for the tools they need to raise achievement, and by the conclusion of the institute, each team has an action plan of what they will do when they return to their districts, including the resources, supports and technical assistance needed from their districts to implement their plans." Another NYSUT affiliate attending was a four-member team from Hempstead schools on Long Island . "The emphasis on professional development as a continuous process that involves all staff and guided by what students need is the framework we need," said Dawn Sherwood, president of the Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association. The local and the Hempstead Teaching Assistants Association have been working with the district to improve test scores and increase the graduation rate. Others on the team included elementary teachers and Superintendent Susan Johnson. "I'm optimistic because I saw commitment from all the stakeholders on working together," said Maria Cady, a library media specialist at Fulton Elementary, who is also a co-director of the Hempstead Tract Teacher Center . She believes the institute helped Hempstead realize it needed to improve communication. More effective communication techniques will help educators identify common ground in boosting student achievement. "I have the data that should drive the professional development for all of the district's teachers, teaching assistants and support staff," Cady said. "I learned more effective ways to share that info." The institute did more than provide strategies, said members, including Roberta Morrow, a special ed teacher at South Junior High in Newburgh . Over three days, the program provided in-depth practice sessions. "How many times do you go to a training and you get good ideas, but there's no chance for discussion and followup?" she asked. "The expectation is this is a long-term thing, but it was so much more empowering to work together to find solutions." — Betsy Sandberg |
| |
| | ||
