New Paltz students participate in urban teaching program

At a time when teacher shortages in the New York City metropolitan area are at an all-time high, the School of Education at SUNY New Paltz is doing its share to alleviate the problem. Last fall, more than 20 students from New Paltz participated in the SUNY Urban Teacher Education Center (SUTEC) program.

Robert Michael, dean of the School of Education at New Paltz and member of the SUTEC steering committee, said this new program is becoming more popular with the education students. Since its inception in the Fall of 2001, SUNY-wide participation in the SUTEC program has grown from 30 to more than 300 students.

“By teaching in the New York City School System, students utilize the skills they have learned during college by challenging themselves through critical thinking and the use of instructional skills learned in the classroom,” said Michael. “Teachers participating in the program love New Paltz students - they say they are well prepared and they know what to expect.”

Additionally, Michael said that this experience allows student- teachers to become more competent and confident in urban, multi-cultural environments. “If you can make it teaching in New York City, you can make it anywhere,” he added.

The primary mission of SUTEC is to work with the 16 SUNY campuses that offer teacher preparation programs in fulfilling their program requirements through the placement of teacher candidates in New York City public schools. SUTEC opened in the Fall of 2001 with the endorsement of SUNY Chancellor Robert L. King and the former New York City School Chancellor, Harold Levy. The program now operates under Dr. Peter D. Salins, the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs of the SUNY System Administration. SUTEC is funded by the provost's office at SUNY System and is also aided by the recently established steering committee. The SUTEC office is located in Brooklyn.

For more information about SUNY New Paltz’s involvement in the SUTEC program, contact Michael at x2800 or visit the SUTEC Web site at www.suny.edu/sutec.

JANUARY 19, 2004
Volume 2, Issue 1

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