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 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 1980 32% NYS students are minority 3.3% of teachers outside “Big 5” are minority 26% 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 Teaching in High Needs Areas Why Teach? Education Careers Outside the Classroom Teacher supply and Demand What to Study to Become a Teacher Financial Aid Admissions 2+2 Programs Support Programs for Multicultural Students College Life: Surviving and Succeeding

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 Mary_Balme@boces.monroe.edu