Welcome to the Teacher Center!
Since 1984, The Sullivan County Teacher Center (SCTC) has successfully provided the county’s educators with a variety of professional development opportunities to increase their understanding of educational research and theory. SCTC recognizes that professional growth is integral to teachers’ work, specifically regarding issues in curriculum, instruction and assessment. The SCTC addresses teachers’ needs at different stages of their careers, modeling for teachers and students the importance of lifelong learning, while promoting personal and professional growth.
Our Center provides a structure for teachers to take charge of their own professional growth, and afford them an opportunity to share with one another the great wealth of expertise they possess. Approaches to delivering professional development include new teacher training and support, mentoring, peer coaching, collegial circles, as well as a full complement of topics offered in a more traditional workshop or course formats. Over the years, SCTC has expanded both the scope and depth of services offered and has become an educational service center. The entire educational community is encouraged to participate in Center activities, and in some cases, special programs are offered for parents and other community groups. Our teacher center builds collaboration across the public and private sectors, including institutions of higher education and business and industry; leverage State funds to increase resources available to local districts; offer affordable training in technology and innovative teaching practices; and maintain high standards of accountability in the services we provide.
The SCTC is located at the Sullivan BOCES administration building, 15 Sullivan Ave, Suite 1 West, Liberty, NY. The center is open as needed by appointment. However, the director can be reached anytime at christine.decker@scboces.org.
The Sullivan County Teacher Center is a consortium center consisting of seven member districts and Sullivan County BOCES. The member districts are located throughout the county which covers 1,000 square miles. As many of these school districts are small, they rely on the Teacher Center and Sullivan BOCES for professional development programs that they are unable to provide as a single district. By maintaining Teacher Center funding, programs relating to diversity, differentiated instruction, and effective teaching strategies can directly influence teacher practice and student achievement.
The Sullivan County Teacher Center is funded yearly by a grant from the NY State Education Department. It is governed by a Policy Board composed of 51% teachers, as well as representation by administrators, community, parents, higher education, and business representatives.
