Public
School Teachers Meet with Local Legislators to Discuss Working Together
to Improve the New York City Education System
Teachers Network and Deputy Chancellor Carmen Fariña Host
3rd Annual Education Conference
New
York, March 27, 2004 -- Teachers Network, a non-profit education
organization, and Deputy Chancellor Carmen Fariña hosted a
citywide education conference focused on student achievement and literacy
on Saturday, March 27th at P.S. 261 in Brooklyn. Over 200 public school
teachers, parents and community members attended the conference, which
included a policy breakfast with legislators and roundtable discussions
with local award-winning authors on literacy.
As an introduction to the
day’s theme of “Our Lives as Readers and Writers,”
Deputy Chancellor Fariña told teachers, parents and community
members: “I spent 22 years as a teacher and not a moment was wasted.
Today we must move forward with stability and do what is best for kids.
We need to develop thinking, analytical, poised citizens of tomorrow.
We must encourage students to think, write and read independently.”
The conference began with
a policy breakfast where public school teachers within the Teachers
Network Policy Institute met with state and local legislators to present
research projects on issues such as parent involvement and standardized
testing. The two parties discussed ways teachers could use their experience
as educators to work with policymakers to improve public education.
“I know our children
need as much help as possible, so we must push the agenda so every child
has an opportunity to receive a quality education. If we don’t
do it now, we can build more prisons and deal with the consequences
later,” said Council Member Robert Jackson, one of the local policymakers
that attended the policy breakfast.
Noted pop-up book artist
Robert Sabuda delivered the keynote speech and cited teachers as being
crucial to his success as author. During lunch, six award-winning children’s
book authors, including Nicholasa Mohr and Paula Fox, conducted roundtable
discussions with teachers and community members to discuss strategies
for incorporating reading into classroom learning.
Participants also
attended workshops throughout the day on topics such classroom internet
use, intervention plans for struggling readers and new tea\cher resources.
Deputy Chancellor Fariña led a literacy workshop on “How
to Be a Leader of Literacy” to instruct educators on building
reading skills within schools. New public school teachers who attended
the conference will receive credit toward their required training as
part of an effort between Teachers Network and the Department of Education
to support new teachers in professional development through online training,
courses and workshops.
About Teachers
Network
Teachers Network is a non-profit education organization that has been
working almost 25 years to support and connect innovative teachers through
grants and networking opportunities in the areas of curriculum, leadership,
policy and new media. Teachers Network’s mission is to provide
teachers with the knowledge and skills to become leaders in their classrooms
and schools, thereby improving student learning and achievement. Headquartered
in New York City, Teachers Network is a community of educators linked
nationwide by 25 affiliated organizations including foundations, public
school systems, and several state education departments.
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