Think About Teaching Conference
A Cooperative Regional Effort to Increase the Number of
Minority Candidates Within the Teacher Applicant Pool
Mission Statement
To bring together college-bound high school students from various groups that are underrepresented in the teaching profession for a day of workshops, speakers and other activities – all designed to encourage youth to…
THINK ABOUT TEACHING
As a future career.
The Need for Minority Teachers
1980 32% NYS students
are minority 3.3% of teachers
outside “Big 5” are minority
26% of teachers in “Big 5” are minority
2006 46% of NYS students
are minority 4.0% of teachers
outside of “Big 5” are minority
36% of teachers in “Big 5” are minority
TAT History
Begun in 2000 by two groups of concerned educators operating independently with the same idea.– Rush Henrietta Central Schools – Urban-Suburban Interdistrict Transfer Program
Governance Board
Both groups decide to focus on “growing our own” minority teachers while still working to recruit from outside areas.
TAT History continued
Representatives from various constituencies invited to discuss issues related to the shortage of minority teacher candidates in greater Rochester area.
Local school districts, higher education, teachers unions and minority community worked together to develop idea of TAT conference.
Groups Involved in Planning Brighton CSD Brockport CSD Greece Central Schools Fairport CSD Penfield CSD Pittsford CSD Rush-Henrietta CSD West Irondequoit CSD Wheatland-Chili CSD Urban Suburban Program TSTT Program BOCES 1&2 National Education Association New York United Teachers
Genesee Community College Monroe Community College Keuka College Nazareth College Roberts Wesleyan College SUNY Brockport SUNY Buffalo SUNY Geneseo University of Rochester Ibero-American League Monroe County School
Business Partnership Urban League of Rochester Monroe County School Boards
Association
First TAT Conference
Conference for prospective minority teachers among current high school students.
Nazareth College May 23, 2001 Keynote: Dr. Marva Collins 300 students from 20 area schools. Program of 14 breakout sessions Book fair, College fair, Campus Tours Ken Hilton, chair of Architect Group
Sample Breakout Sessions Financial Aid Admissions 2+2 Programs Support Programs
for Multicultural Students
College Life: Surviving and Succeeding
Teaching in High Needs Areas
Why Teach? Education Careers
Outside the Classroom
Teacher supply and Demand
What to Study to Become a Teacher
Think About Teaching II Conference at SUNY Brockport, March 20, 2002 Keynote: Dr. Crystal Kuykendall 300 students from 26 area school districts 14 Breakout sessions. Book Fair (and signing), College Fair (25 schools),
Campus Tours Dr. Kuykendall offered staff development for
SUNY Brockport and Monroe County school faculty night before workshop.
Allan Berry, chair of Architect Group
Think About Teaching III March 18, 2003 at Roberts Wesleyan College 400 minority students from greater Monroe
County area. Keynote: Dr. William Parker College Fair at lunch in the gymnasium. Parent program offered evening before
conference with keynote, admissions and financial aid presentations.
Chris Manaseri, chair of Architect Group
TAT IV March 29, 2004 at SUNY Geneseo Keynote: Regent Adelaide H. Sanford Conference topics ranged from preparing for
college to college-survival skills to varied careers in education.
41 school districts participated, including Rochester City School District and 17 school districts outside of Monroe County.
TSTT represented for first time Jackie Roblin and Keith Johnson, chair
Architect Group
Think About Teaching V
Monroe Community College March 16, 2005 Keynote: Dr. Orlando L. Taylor, Dean of
Howard University Graduate School. Topic : “Closing the Achievement Gap” Dr. Bettye Perkins presented, “Can TSTT
Help Solve the Shortage of Minority Teachers?”
Dawn Oryszak and Ken Hilton, chair Architect Group
Think About Teaching VI St. John Fisher College – March 9, 2006 Keynote: Ken Green, The College Board, Southern
Regional Office. More than 450 students from Monroe County and
beyond. Mr. Green offered professional development for
Monroe County school district administrators and teachers.
Program included 16 breakout sessions Jeff Dillon and Jackie Roblin, chair Architect Group
Think About Teaching VII
Nazareth College March 15, 2007 Keynote: Bakari Kitwana, Educator,
Author Tom Gallagher and Theresa Woodson,
chair Architect Group
Think About Teaching VIII
Roberts Wesleyan College March 25, 2008 Keynotes: William Boatwright and Arkee
Allen Theresa Woodson and Jennifer Lisak,
chair Architect Committee
Think About Teaching Conference IX SUNY Brockport March 17, 2009 Keynotes: Nyree Strong and William
Ruiz Rob Banzer and Nancy Hackett chair
Architect Committee
Think About Teaching Conference X
SUNY Geneseo March 15, 2010 Keynote: Mr. Anibal Soler, Jr. Thomas Gallagher and Theresa
Woodson, chair Architect Committee
Think About Teaching Conference XI
St. John Fisher College March 3, 2011 Keynote: Mr. Kali Watkins Theresa Woodson, chair Architect
Committee
Think About Teaching Conference XII
Nazareth College March 15, 2012 Keynote: Dr. Marilyn Patterson-Grant
Cooperation of Constituents
Schools supply students, supervision and transportation.
Host college provides facilities and coordination.
Teacher unions provide cost of lunch. Other agencies and groups provide
volunteers for planning and presentations. Local business provides financial support.
Needs Financial Support – conference budget of
$15,000 includes:– $7,000 keynote speaker fee– $1,000 in travel and overnight expenses– $2,000 in non-lunch food costs– $2,000 in supplies and materials– $2,000 for parental involvement component– $1,000 miscellaneous
Note - all presentations, break out sessions, etc., are provided gratis by member groups.
THANK YOU for your interest in the
Think About Teaching Conference
For more information contact: Mary Balme 249-7029 [email protected]
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