February 16, 2018

VP for Academics Jamie Dangler and a pair of UUP Teacher Education Task Force members met Feb. 16 with EOP directors to discuss a plan to set up an EOP-linked pipeline to recruit and support future teachers from underrepresented, economically disadvantaged communities.

Dangler, along with Oswego Chapter member Nichole Brown and Oneonta Chapter member Paul Bischoff, offered the proposal at the EOP directors' meeting in Albany. Above, Bischoff makes a comment as Brown, center, and Dangler listen.

Dangler said this is an area UUP has been interested in for a while, and that she's looking forward to forming partnerships with the EOP directors.

“Working together gives us a better chance of reaching our common goal,” she said.

Due to the rigor and structure of teacher education programs, students are more likely to complete undergraduate teacher education programs and state certification requirements if they begin their programs as soon as they enter college. UUP has proposed additional funding for the EOP program that would be earmarked for teacher education. This funding could be used to help with education and recruitment of high school students to identify future teachers.

Funding would also be used to assist students with costs associated with teacher education programs such as certification fees and transportation and living costs associated with student teaching.

"Collaboration is key," said Brown, field placement office director at SUNY Oswego's School of Education. "More communication with the EOP offices will help us better support the students and recruit, retain and graduate future teachers."

Bischoff, a SUNY Oneonta professor and chair of the college's Secondary Education and Educational Technology Department, said this collaboration can help solve the teacher shortage New York State is facing.

"It would be wonderful for teacher education and EOP to work together to solve a real serious problem,” Bischoff said.

Dangler and the Teacher Education Task Force is working on next steps to follow up with the EOP directors.