Local teachers are taking continuing education classes to enhance their skills, improve their credentials and increase their pay grade.
Denise Sullivan, a second grade teacher in the Harborfields Central School District in Suffolk County, wants to earn New York State certification in literacy. This summer, she鈥檒l take her third course in a teacher professional development program run by in partnership with .
鈥淢y district wants us to take classes that are enriching鈥攕omething we can use in the classroom,鈥 Ms. Sullivan said. 鈥淭he classes in 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 program are always approved by the district because they鈥檙e really good. I鈥檒l definitely be taking more of their classes.鈥
The program is open to all teachers in New York State, including New York City teachers. Although classes are not offered in New York City, they are given throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County and upstate.
Ms. Sullivan, who holds a master鈥檚 degree, will take one course, Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas, this summer. Her goal is to reach the master鈥檚-plus-60-credits level. By completing courses, teachers get the credits they need to earn certifications, enhance their credentials and increase their pay grade.
Courses can be taken during the fall, winter or summer. Among the 63 courses offered this summer are Building Communication and Teamwork in Schools, Designing Motivation for All Learners, Multicultural Children鈥檚 Literature, Cyberbullying: The New Age of Harassment and Teaching Students to Be Peacemakers.
Several courses, including Autism Spectrum Disorders and Beginning Reading, will be offered only online this summer. Other courses will be available online or in a classroom. Still others are blended courses鈥攃ombining online and classroom instruction.
Chris Greco recently completed a Creative Controversy course at Hempstead High School, where he teaches science.
鈥淚 enrolled in the program to get the 45 hours toward my required 175 hours,鈥 Mr. Greco said. 鈥淚 was very satisfied with the program, will be taking more classes and I have already recommended the program to others.鈥
Diane Caracciolo, M.A. 鈥80, Ed.D., and , associate professors in 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 , review the syllabi and observe up to 20 classes a year.
鈥淣YSUT gathers input from teachers and creates new courses each summer, which are then offered by participating universities once we have approved the syllabi,鈥 Dr. Caracciolo said.
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director听
p 鈥 516.237.8634
e 鈥 twilson@adelphi.edu