The Lower Hudson Teacher Center Network And The Institute of History, Archaeology And Education Announce Partnership to Address Issue of Teacher Training in Social Studies and History
Yorktown Heights, N.Y., June 17, 2003
Robert La Roche and Joe Pesavento, co-chairs of the Lower Hudson Teacher Center Network and Dr. Peter Feinman, president of the Institute of History, Archaeology and Education today announced a partnership to provide history and social studies related programs to teachers in the Hudson Valley Region as part of their professional training development.
La Roche noted that it is important that teachers be familiar with the resources available to assist in complying with the New York State standards for the teaching of social studies. La Roche said, “Teacher Centers are encouraged to collaborate with other agencies in the development of activities that address issues for improving student achievement through professional development. This approach takes advantage of opportunities for sharing information, cost, and training resources for keeping teachers current in their respective fields.”
Feinman added, “With the constant stream of new archaeological discoveries and new approaches for understanding the data, it has become increasingly difficult for teachers to remain abreast of developments in their field even if they majored as undergraduates in the subject they are teaching.”
As part of this effort to promote teacher skills, the following programs will be offered this summer.
- Art of the First Cities: a visit to the Metropolitan Museum to tour this new exhibit which closes August 17 and to learn the latest about the archaeological situation in Iraq.
- Project Archaeology: a program of archaeological activities developed by the Bureau of Land Management to foster respect for the American heritage which is being vandalized and destroyed.
- Archaeology Dig: a live excavation at the Jay Heritage Center, Rye, New York, to learn more about the life of John Jay.
- Ancient Civilizations: Testing the Textbooks: a class on ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia that can be taken prior to the visit to the galleries at the Metropolitan Museum.
Through these programs and future programs beginning in the fall, the Lower Hudson Teacher Center Network and the Institute of History, Archaeology, and Education are pleased to be working together to enhance the teaching of social studies and history in our public schools.
Co-President Joe Pesavento of the Mid-Hudson Teacher Center said, “The Lower Hudson Teacher Center Network is thrilled to be working with Dr. Feinman in bringing meaningful, on-site programs to Hudson Valley educators. We hope people will take advantage of these wonderful opportunities.”
The Lower Hudson Teacher Center Network consists of the Bedford Staff Development Center, BEPT Teacher Center Consortium serving Eastchester, Pelham, and Tuckahoe, Hudson River CHHOP Teacher Center, East Ramapo Teachers Center, Teacher Institute of Mamaroneck, Mid-Hudson Teacher Center, Middletown Teacher Center, New Rochelle Staff Resource Center, Newburgh Teacher Center, Northern Westchester/Putnam Teacher Center, Nyack Staff Development center, Ossining Staff Development Center, Richard Gazzola Teacher Center of Yonkers, Rockland Teachers Center, Scarsdale Teachers Institute, Sullivan County Teacher Center, Teacher Center at Purchase College, Edith Winthrop teacher Center of Westchester, White Plains Staff Development Center, Bronxville Staff Development Center and Washingtonville Teacher Center.
For additional information about the Lower Hudson Teacher Center Network, please visit www.teachercenters.org
For additional information about the Institute of History, Archaeology, and Education please visit www.ihare.org.
