GCC hosts teaching symposium for prospective educators

Genesee Community College will host Teaching: Reality and Vision, a symposium for current and prospective teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals on the current state of education and its future, on Thursday, April 10, at Genesee's Batavia Campus. Dr. William Hayes, Chair of Teacher Education at Roberts Wesleyan College, will be the keynote speaker. A pre-conference workshop about New York state's "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) requirements for teachers and paraprofessionals will begin at 4 p.m., and the keynote address will being at 6 p.m.

Anyone considering a career in education can learn what teaching is like in today's primary and secondary schools, and for current educational professionals to share their experiences. A panel discussion and breakout sessions will include area educators representing classroom teachers, administration, professional development, higher education, special education, specialists who work with gifted and talented students, student teachers, and professional associations.

The symposium schedule is: 4 p.m. - pre-conference workshop; 5:30 p.m. - refreshments and registration; 6 p.m. - keynote address; 6:30 p.m. panel discussion; 7:30 p.m. - breakout session 1; 8:15 p.m. - breakout session 2.

The pre-conference workshop, hosted by Genesee Community College, will be presented by Dr. Nancy Willie-Schiff, Special Projects Coordinator for the New York State Education Department's Office of Higher Education. Dr. Willie-Schiff is leading the State Education Department's implementation of the NCLB's requirements for teachers and paraprofessionals. She will present the latest information about what those requirements are, and what they mean for all public schools, school districts and BOCES in New York state. Time will be allowed for questions after the interactive presentation. This pre-conference workshop will also be presented live, via fiber-optic audio/video link, to Iroquois High School in Elba, and Salamanca High School in Salamanca.

Break session topics will include: certifications of para-professionals; What? You Want to Student Teach?; mentoring; special and gifted education; understanding learning styles and preferences.

This event is free and open to the public, and is co-sponsored by Genesee Community College, the Genesee Region Teacher Center, and the Tri-County Teacher Center. Pre-registration is requested; contact Candace Bower, Director, Genesee Region Teacher Center at 585-591-0400 extension 2103, or cbower2@atticacsd.org.