THE TEACHER CENTER OF CENTRAL WESTCHESTER
Teacher Center Policy Board Meeting
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 4:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
Minutes
Attendees: Julie Liebersohn, Toni Gamils, Ann Marie Kiernan (Retired Chairperson), Mary Farrell, Ruth Kambar, Carlene LoVecchio (Eastchester), Claudia Levy (Port Chester-Rye), Francina Jubilee , Mike Jernegons, Warren Mitchell (Mt. Vernon), Janet Hoynes , Luis Barcelo (Pelham), Roseanna Cutietta (Hawthorne-Cedar Knolls, Laurel DeLuca (Blindbrook-Rye),Larry Krute (Manhattanville College)
Welcome & Announcements:
Julie introduced herself and Toni as the New Co-Directors of the Teacher Center and they both welcomed everyone to the meeting. Julie then read a letter from Mary Beth Anderson thanking everyone for their support and friendship during her tenure as Director.
Approval of Minutes: Julie asked all members to review the minutes from the June 2, 2020 Policy Board Meeting. A motion was made by Ann Marie Kiernan to approve the minutes, seconded by Francina Jubilee and passed.
Co-Director’s Report:
- Budget Update – Our Grant, as well as all NYS teacher centers are still under review. We were told we may know by the end of September but it could be as late as December. There was an increase in costs for insurance, Frontline Technology Services and to redesign our website. We are partnering with Rockland Web to host and design our website. Due to the uncertainty of our budget we are only spending on essentials.
- Website/Newsletter – Our top priority was to change the domain host and update our website. The theme is : Teachers Learning Together. Toni is hopeful that the newsletter and website, which are currently being worked on, will be available soon.
- Summer 2020 Courses: The TC ran nine courses this summer with approximately 45 participants.
- STEAM – The Steam Committee is meeting in October and will review the needs of our member districts. We are also waiting for the outcome of our funding before embarking on any expenditures.
- UPCOMING COURSE OFFERINGS AND COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS – Toni has been setting up new partnerships with local colleges. We are partnering with Stony Brook and offering 15 CTLE Courses. We are in touch with Mercy College to pursue STEAM opportunities. We are continuing with the Teachers as Leaders program through Manhattanville College. A course submission form and syllabus template was developed that instructors need to complete. When meeting on Zoom, instructors must record the number of hours participants are in the presentation. There was also discussion on “Zoom Bombing” and Julie and Toni will look into it.
- Curricular Projects: This was previously referred to as awards and will now be referred to as Curriculum and Professional Projects. These projects will be reviewed within the parameters of hybrid/virtual teaching models. Due to remote learning, we do not want to fund projects this year that require the students to be in school.
- National Board Certification: Helene Alalouf agreed to delay the start of this program until we get an update on funding. The NBC will be revisited after we receive information on the grant status.
- Collegial Circle for New, Untenured, 2nd and 3rd Year Teachers: Ruth Kambar will be starting Collegial Circle on October 5, 2020 and she currently has approximately 16 or 17 registered.
New Business:
- Equity Grant: The Lower Hudson Teacher Network is offering an Equity Grant of $550.00 for each teacher center. There was a discussion on how this money could be spent. Ann Marie mentioned the Poverty Simulation held in White Plains last year and was attended by two Board Members. Francina said it was an excellent presentation and should be considered for the grant.
- Course Increase: There will be a price increase for courses of $25.00.
45 hour –Consortium $350 – Non Consortium $400
30 hour Consortium $250 – Non Consortium $300
15 hour Consortium $150 – Non Consortium $200
This is still below the amount charged by other teacher centers.
- Meeting Your Needs: Please email jliebersohn@teachercentercw.org or tgamils@teachercentercw.org if your teachers need and/or request anything from the Teacher Center.
- New Instructors If you want to apply to be an instructor we require resume/references and course description followed by a syllabus.
Discussion:
- Next Meeting Date – The next Policy Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 and will probably be a Zoom Meeting.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Francina Jubilee seconded by Warren Mitchell and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Farrell
Meeting minutes waiting for approval
The Teacher Center of Central Westchester Policy Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 2, 2020, 4:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
Policy Board Members:
Julie Liebersohn, Toni Gamils, Ann Marie Kiernan (Retired Chairperson), Mary Farrell, Ruth Kambar, Carlene LoVecchio(Eastchester UFSD), Claudia Levy (Port Chester-Rye UFSD), Janet Hoynes, Luis Barcelo(Pelham UFSD), Laurel DeLuca (Blindbrook-Rye UFSD) Ann Reilly (Mt. Pleasant Central School District), Ronda Harding-Boyd (Tuckahoe School District), Warren Mitchell (Mt. Vernon Board of Ed)
Quorum present? Yes
Others Present (non-voting): None
Proceedings: Meeting called to order Tuesday, December 2, 2020, 4:00 p.m. by Anne Marie Kiernan. Anne Marie Kiernan moved to approve the September 29, 2020 minutes. J. Hoynes seconded. Approved.
Co-Directors’ Reports:
- Website Update – We are very excited about our new website, and if you haven’t done so already, please check it out. There is some vital information on all that’s been happening at the Teacher Center.
- Fall 2020 Courses: Nine Courses ran from September thru November. We are still working on upcoming courses and our partnerships with Stony Brook and Manhattanville College. There are also many free courses offered by the New York State Teacher Center – check them out.
- STEAM – There will be a free course given by Liz Gallo on December 10, 2020, called Unplugged Activities for Remote Learning – Get kids off the screen. We currently have 21 people registered, and we are very excited that teachers can use these activities within their curriculum without using a computer. There is also a 6-hour course, Maker Ed, being offered in January. The goal is to make you feel confident, comfortable, and prepared to teach Maker Ed or STEM projects. Free kits accompany this course.
Budget Report provided by Co-Director Julie Liebersohn:
Our grant received approval with a small decrease, so we are in a much better place than in September. However, we have not received full confirmation, and because of this, we may get cut again in February or March. We have been working on solutions to these cuts if they come to pass but will go into details in the future. We will have a revised budget updated with all current information.
Other Business:
- Open Meeting Law: We must advertise our Policy Board Meetings publically. It will be in our Newsletter as well. Anyone is welcome to attend, but they cannot vote or talk. All Board Members should send out the list of our meeting dates and post them in a prominent place in your District. We would like you also to include the STEAM Meeting dates.
- Policy Board Vacancies: There was a discussion on how best to fill current vacancies on our Board. Julie stated Pocantico Hills seat on the Policy Board has been vacant for some time and asked if anyone on the Board knew of someone over there to reach out to or if you had a name, then Toni or Julie will reach out to them. Ann Reilly said there used to be an incentive for members who sat on the Board like free courses and that there could be a requirement to attend three meetings to be eligible for any incentive.
- Needs Assessment: Please email jliebersohn@teachercentercw.org or tgamils@teachercentercw.org if teachers request specific professional development from this Teacher Center. We will always be willing to look into any inquiries.
- Next Meeting Date – The next Policy Board Meeting will be Tuesday, February 23, 2021, and will be a Zoom Meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Farrell