Enhancing Teaching Skills through University College

Denise Sullivan, a second grade teacher in the Harborfields Central School District in Suffolk County, wants to earn New York State certification in literacy. This summer, she’ll take her third course in a teacher professional development program run by University College’s Department of Continuing Education in partnership with New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).

“My district wants us to take classes that are enriching—something we can use in the classroom,” Ms. Sullivan said. “The classes in Adelphi’s program are always approved by the district because they’re really good. I’ll definitely be taking more of their classes.”

The program is open to all teachers in New York State, including New York City teachers. Although classes are not offered in New York City, they are given throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County and upstate.

Ms. Sullivan, who holds a master’s degree, will take one course, Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas, this summer. Her goal is to reach the master’s-plus-60-credits level. By completing courses, teachers get the credits they need to earn certifications, enhance their credentials and increase their pay grade.

Courses can be taken during the fall, winter or summer. Among the 63 courses offered this summer are Building Communication and Teamwork in Schools, Designing Motivation for All Learners, Multicultural Children’s Literature, Cyberbullying: The New Age of Harassment and Teaching Students to Be Peacemakers.

Several courses, including Autism Spectrum Disorders and Beginning Reading, will be offered only online this summer. Other courses will be available online or in a classroom. Still others are blended courses—combining online and classroom instruction.

Chris Greco recently completed a Creative Controversy course at Hempstead High School, where he teaches science.

“I enrolled in the program to get the 45 hours toward my required 175 hours,” Mr. Greco said. “I was very satisfied with the program, will be taking more classes and I have already recommended the program to others.”

Diane Caracciolo, M.A. ’80, Ed.D., and Carl Mirra, Ph.D., associate professors in Adelphi’s Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, review the syllabi and observe up to 20 classes a year.

“NYSUT gathers input from teachers and creates new courses each summer, which are then offered by participating universities once we have approved the syllabi,” Dr. Caracciolo said.