TSTT Blackboard Highlights

Rochester holds their first annual student orientation

Thirty (35) new TSTT students along with their teacher mentors attended The Greater TSTT Rochester Region's first Student Orientation held at St. John's Fisher College on Thursday, December 9, 2004. The event opened with words of encouragement about the value of teaching by Dr. Sam Walton, Dean of the School of Education at St. John's Fisher College. Dr. Bettye Perkins, TSTT Executive Director, congratulated the students for being selected as a TSTT participant, and welcomed another future generation of master teachers to the TSTT family.

Jeff Dillon, the TSTT Regional Coordinator for The Greater Rochester Region, planned the day's activities. The students participated in workshops on communication, leadership, tutoring tips, and qualities of a master teacher. TSTT teacher mentors attended a workshop on program strategies and requirements. College professors from St. John's Fisher College and staff members from the TSTT Headquarters conducted the workshops.

Feedback indicated that the students significantly benefited from the workshops. Some of the comments were:

• "I enjoyed getting the opportunity to get to know the chances I have for a teaching career."
• "It was very influential in connecting us with the valuable ideas of TSTT and its overall benefits as we further take part in this program."
• "The speakers spoke very well and it kept me focused. They were very enthusiastic, especially the tutoring sessions."

In addition to attending local and regional monthly meetings in their school districts, the Greater Rochester TSTT Students will be attending other key activities scheduled throughout the year. These events include Parent/College Night, Think About Teaching Conference, and Future Educators of America Induction Ceremony.

For more information, go to The Greater TSTT Rochester Region Calendar

A Bright Future

Stephanie Catlyn (right) smiles as mom Cheryl Robinson pins her, completing her initiation into the TSTT chapter of FEA.

In a formal candle-lighting ceremony held May 23, 2002 at Pace University, high school students from around the region who participate in the TSTT program were formally inducted into the Future Educators of America.

The assembly of students, teacher mentors, administrators and parents watched as students lit candles and were administered the FEA oath: "I pledge to continue to demonstrate service to my school and community, to sustain the highest degree of ethical conduct, to serve as an exemplary peer role model, and to strive for outstanding scholarship. I will always promote positive attitudes toward the profession of education and will endeavor to enhance the quality and efficiency of education."

Next, new and veteran teacher mentors in the TSTT program were acknowledged for their commitment and contribution, lit a candle and then repeated the FEA oath.

Bettye Perkins, TSTT executive director, charged the students: "We are inducting those of you who have successfully completed the tutoring component and have been recommended by your teachers. All of you should be proud to have reached a major milestone in the TSTT program. TSTT salutes you and your parents, who have supported you and are here today to celebrate your success."

Ode to TSTT

Congratulations to Janae Kee, an 8th grader at A.B. Davis Middle School in Mount Vernon, who is tutored by a TSTT student at Mount Vernon High School, for winning the TSTT Poem Contest. She will receive a Pentium II computer with a color inkjet printer and a 17-inch monitor donated to TSTT through Per Scholas (a nonprofit organization that brings computers to technologically deprived families and children at the lowest possible cost.)

Here’s her winning entry:

TSTT has helped me a lot
Their support allowed me
To keep running after my dreams
Never to stop.

The people who encouraged me to succeed
Are the mentors
Who truly care for me.

Initially, my grades were poor
But TSTT helped me improve
Week by week, more and more.

My self-esteem has increased
Bit by bit and now
I've gone too far to quit.

TSTT is the place to be
They do more than help you succeed.
They bring out your true identity.

Thank you TSTT for allowing
God to use you
For now there is hope for our youth
Because of people just like you.

It Computes!

Several recipients of a new computer (left to right): Bettye Perkins, TSTT executive director; students Maria Yagual, Danny Lavia, Jessica Hilton; Mitch Weisburgh of the K&M Weisburgh Charitable Fund; and Dr. Hasna Muhammad, TSTT Board member.

"One of the best things about life is helping other people achieve their dreams," says Mitchell Weisburgh, who, along with his wife, Karen, are doing just that through their K&M Weisburgh Charitable Fund, which recently donated $17,000 worth of computers to 15 deserving TSTT students. The announcement was made at the TSTT Career Development Workshops held on June 5, 2002 at Manhattanville College.

The happy recipients of a computer are: high school students-Ettamarie Richards and Ekene Ndubuisi, New Rochelle; Khadija Howell, Jessica Hilton and Luz Casado, Mount Vernon; Danny Lavia, Ellenville; Sammer Habib, Mariela Henry and Isabelle Brunache, Spring Valley; Keisha Domond, Academy of Information Technology; Melissa Maier, Ossining; Jillian Elisabeth Brown, Ramapo; and Michael Harris, Walter Panas; and college students-Danny Souffrant, graduate of Ramapo, attending/East Strausburg College; and Maria Yagual, graduate of Yonkers, attending Mercy College.