Dear
Colleagues,Dear
Colleagues,
In 1984, New York State Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers were created with the passing of Education Law 316. The intent was to provide comprehensive professional development, technical assistance and support for teachers in New York State. For 22 years, Teacher Centers have supported professionals by providing the training and tools that are needed to ensure all students are successful in a rapidly changing educational environment.
One tool that has had a major influence in our schools and our daily lives is the computer. It is imperative that teachers have skills to seamlessly integrate technology into their classrooms as well as broader environments such as the home, libraries, on field trips or internships, etc.
The Teacher Center State-Wide Technology Committee has been working with Intel and other partner companies to build a network of delivery systems to teachers that includes hardware, software and professional development. The result is the new Technology Placement Program (TPP) which is a public/private partnership with Intel, Dell, Microsoft and Adobe. In the coming months, we expect to see additional companies join the program who will add to the list of hardware, software and telecommunications options.
TPP will enable teachers to purchase computers configured with state-of-the-art systems, upgrade currently owned systems and access a complement of high-level support from Teacher Centers. The intent will be to create an environment that supports teachers in making a decision on buying a home technology system that meets their needs for both professional and personal use. Research repeatedly confirms that teachers do much of their classroom preparation work—as well as their continued learning—at home. This program will enable teachers to maximize those endeavors.
In addition to TPP, Teacher Centers will continue to offer quality training programs such as Verizon’s MarcoPolo, SmartBoard, Intel’s “Teach to the Future” and the NYS Teacher Centers' Online Academy, in order to bring the best instructional resources and methods to the finger tips of teachers.
The TPP program is not a sales program. It is a program that has one goal
- to bring teachers state-of-the-
art tools and training that will increase their instructional skills and, ultimately,
student success.
These offers are only available through New York State Teacher Centers and are only for the professionals that Teacher Centers around NYS serve. The program is open to teachers, administrators, para professionals, school staff, school nurses, bus drivers, pre-service and others that the Teacher Center serves. It is NOT for general distribution to the public.
How does one participate?
The steps:
We believe TPP will afford Teacher Centers the opportunity to positively impact the ability of educators across the state to bring technology into their classrooms and improve the performance of their students. We are excited and proud to be able to enter into these wonderful partnerships and look forward to adding to the list of offerings in the Technology Placement Program.