To help students achieve higher standards, Teacher Centers work with educators to:
 • strengthen teamwork among teachers across disciplines
 • develop curriculum that connects to students’ lives
 • design class activities that engage all students
 • use technology as an instructional tool
 • manage a classroom more effectively
 • apply state standards in a meaningful way for students

Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers were established by the New York State Legislature in 1984 to provide systematic, ongoing professional education services to the State's teachers.  The initial appropriation of $3.5 million established 44 Teacher Centers throughout the State.  The 2002-2003 allocation of $31 million supports 126 Centers, which serve some 660 public school districts and BOCES, as well as hundreds of non-public schools across all regions of the State.  More than 230,000 educators have access to Teacher Center services.  The benefits they derive are passed on in the form of improved education for some 2,500,000 students across New York State.

Teacher Centers are unique in their approach to providing professional development, since they are governed by a policy board that is, by law, composed of at least 51% teachers.  Each Center provides services to its constituents based on locally determined needs.

Teacher Centers have developed successful, cost effective, programs that address the purposes prescribed in statute.  Their goals encompass the following areas:

·        Assist educators in assessing and meeting the learning needs of students

·        Provide computer demonstration and training sites and programs for educators

·        Promote educators' use of and involvement in educational research to develop and produce curricula and curricular material

·        Provide educators with training for the improvement of teaching skills

·        Provide a location and atmosphere to foster sharing and increased understanding of resources, ideas, methods, approaches, information and materials among educators

·        Train educators to prepare students to use high technology and to teach the critical thinking and related skills needed for the changing world community.  

 

Centers provide a structure for teachers to take charge of their own professional growth, and afford them an opportunity to share with one another the great wealth of expertise that they possess.  Approaches to delivering professional development include new teacher training and support, mentoring, peer coaching, collegial circles, mini-grants, and research opportunities, as well as a full complement of topics offered in more traditional workshop or course formats.

Over the years, Teacher Centers have expanded both the scope and depth of services offered, and have become educational service centers.  The entire educational community is encouraged to participate in Center activities, and in many cases special programs are offered for parents and other community groups.  Teacher Centers build collaboration across the public and private sectors, including institutions of Higher Education and business and industry; leverage State funds to increase resources available to local districts; offer affordable training in technology and innovative teaching practices; and maintain high standards of accountability in the services they provide.  They represent a unique infrastructure that continues to contribute to the improvement of education in New York State. For complete listing of New York State Teacher Center Standards, click here. (pdf)

For more information, please refer to our FAQ page or contact your local center.