The Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC) at the SUNY Old Westbury School of Education is a program that seeks educate a diverse teaching force to empower 21st century students.
The only program of its kind on Long Island, the TOC program is the result of a New York State Education Department Teacher Opportunity Corps II grant, which was made possible by the federal My Brother’s Keeper initiative. Hear what participants say about how the TOC program makes a difference for them
We encourage eligible students to join this amazing group of educators and take advantage of all that TOC has to offer. Applications for Fall 2024 are due no later than Friday, September 13, 2024. Current members of the TOC program in good standing do not need to reapply.
Program Goals
- To develop future teacher leaders
- To be an active contributor to the State’s efforts to diversify the teaching workforce
- To recruit and support high quality teacher candidates in the undergraduate Adolescence Education, Bilingual Education, Childhood Education, and Exceptional Education programs
- To graduate future classroom teachers who will be prepared and ready to teach all children
- To change the world one child at a time
Eligibility
- New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements – A student must be a resident of New York State and must demonstrate interest in and a potential for a teaching career.
- SUNY Old Westbury School of Education requirements – A student must be eligible to enroll in School of Education coursework.
Selection criteria
NYSED’s guidelines for selecting participants:
- 1st priority: Individuals who have been historically underrepresented and underserved in the teaching profession
- 2nd priority: Individuals who are economically disadvantaged
- 3rd priority: Individuals who do not fall into the above categories
School of Education selection criteria include:
- Passing ED3950 with a B or better
- Overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher
- Completion of all School of Education admission requirements
Program Opportunities
- Financial support (e.g., tuition or on-campus room and board, books)
- Reimbursement for State-mandated workshops and certification exams (e.g., CST, EAS, DASA)
- Experiences as a volunteer working in partner schools
- Guidance and support by mentor teachers in partner schools
- Seminars for prospective teachers
- Access to local professional conferences (e.g., Limaçon, Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder conferences)
- Tutoring support (e.g., in mathematics, writing, CST)
- Leadership opportunities
TOC Intern Responsibilities
- Volunteer in partner schools
- Attend required number of seminars
- Maintain professionalism as a representative of TOC II, the School of Education, and of SUNY Old Westbury
- Meet all requirements to be a member of the School of Education
- Believe that all students deserve an excellent education
Contact:
Email the Teacher Opportunity Corps: TOC@oldwestbury.edu
TOC Faculty Advisors:
Dr. Diana Sukhram
Dean - School of Education, Teacher Opportunity Corps
sukhramd@oldwestbury.edu
Dr. Anissa Wicktor Lynch
Assistant Professor, Childhood Education & Director, Teacher Opportunity Corps
wicktorlyncha@oldwestbury.edu
Dr. Blidi Stemn
Associate Professor/Chair, Childhood Education & Literacy, Teacher Opportunity Corps
stemnb@oldwestbury.edu
Ms. Rheba Jules
Director of Academic Services and Outreach, School of Education, Teacher Opportunity Corps
julesr@oldwestbury.edu
Mr. Richard Diaz
Program Coordinator, School of Education, Teacher Opportunity Corps
Diazr@oldwestbury.edu