The event highlighted the urgent need for certified teachers in NWY, showcasing innovative, collaborative efforts to enhance curricula and train the next generation of skilled, passionate educators.
The event brought together academic and industry leaders.
On Thursday, November 14, Hostos Community College held an Education Industry Summit dedicated to the field of Teacher Education, emphasizing careers, curriculum development, achievements, and opportunities for collaboration with the Hostos Early Childhood Education Program faculty, students, and industry partners. Hosted by President Daisy Cocco De Filippis and Community Advisory Council Chair Elías Alcántara, the summit aimed to foster collaboration between academia and industry to enhance educational curricula and provide pathways for students to achieve rewarding careers in education.
President Daisy Cocco De Filippis during her welcome remarks.
The event highlighted the critical need for teachers in New York City, where a recent report from the NYC Department of Education revealed a shortage of over 3,000 certified teachers, particularly in early childhood education — a challenge that poses a significant threat to the stability and quality of the education system. Hostos is playing a pivotal role in addressing this crisis by training and preparing the next generation of educators who will serve communities in the Bronx and beyond. Through innovative programs and strategic partnerships, Hostos is committed to ensuring that the future of education is shaped by well-trained, passionate, and skilled professionals who can meet the growing demands of the teaching profession nationwide.
Hostos Community Advisory Council Chair Elías Alcántara.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies, Elías Alcántara opened the summit with warm greetings and shared that this Summit was the fifth in a successful series launched in the Fall of 2022 with a summit on nursing. Held bi-annually, the series has gone on to spotlight Cybersecurity, Business Management, and Radiologic Technology. Alcántara noted that while previous topics are niche, the day’s topic — Education — is “one that touches all of us.”
“I say that proudly, especially standing in one of the most important institutions not only in the Bronx, but the country — Hostos,” he said.
During her opening remarks, President Daisy Cocco De Filippis reflected on the College’s continued commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity and the vital role such a commitment plays in education. “That’s part of education — you look at the human being, not just the student performance in the classroom,” she said.
She then set the stage for the interactive and morning events, inviting all in attendance to share their “insights, input and guidance in ensuring that our programs continue to meet the needs of industry” before welcoming New York City Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz who, in light of the recent election, spoke about the important role educators play in shaping informed, civically involved citizens.
Hostos alumnus Luis Torres credits the College with his outlook on education.
Hostos then had the pleasure of welcoming back one of its own — alumnus Luis Torres, Principal of C.S. 055X, who gave a passionate keynote address on how Hostos shaped his outlook on the field of education in general, as well as teacher education and advocacy. During his speech, Torres recounted how his high school counselor told him they did not think he would do well in college and encouraged him to join the military instead. While the tenacious veteran initially took their advice, he went on to prove the counselor wrong — many times over.
After completing his tour in Desert Storm, Torres attended Hostos, where he said he found a family-like environment and discovered a love for teaching, before going on to obtain advanced degrees from The City College of New York, Mercy College, and Hunter College. Eager to be the champion for education for students in the Bronx, he advanced in his career from an educator to a principal, and now advocates for his students’ and teachers’ continued success.
“A lot of my work comes from my experiences at Hostos and fighting the inequities,” he shared of his inspiration.
He went on to impart the lessons he’s learned and applied along the way. “In the vibrant educational ecosystem of New York City, educators must embrace diversity and inclusion, address educational inequity, harness the power of technology by focusing on the areas and developing the necessary skills teachers can create a nurturing and effective environment that empowers every student — every student! — to succeed,” he shared. “Let us commit to supporting our educators in these endeavors, ensuring that the future of our city and, indeed, the world is bright and full of promise.”
Hostos Chief Librarian Madeline Ford shared that the College led the way nationally in implementing Open Education Resources in the curricula.
The program continued with an overview of the teacher education programs at Hostos Community College, with introductions by Dr. Shiang-Kwei Wang, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, and presented by Dr. Jacqueline DiSanto, Professor and Chair of Education; Professor Madeline Ford, Chief Librarian; Dr. Sherese A. Mitchell, Professor of Early Childhood Education; and Samuel Byrd, Director of College Transition and Alternative Credit Programs.
DiSanto discussed the education departments’ intrepid offerings, including its longstanding and rapidly growing A.A.S program, and she noted the department has also offered courses across modalities — in-person, asynchronous, hybrid — even before the pandemic, in addition to offering evening and weekend courses.
Ford shared that the College was the first teacher education program in the country to incorporate Open Educational Resources (OER) in their curriculum, which has significantly reduced students’ financial burden. For her part, Mitchell discussed the importance of equipping future educators with “soft skills” — like interpersonal, communication and leadership skills — in an effort to foster academic and career success for both the future educators and their pupils.
Byrd concluded the segment with a look at Hostos’ collaborative initiatives with the Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development’s (CEWD), including their credit articulation agreement, which grants six (6) prior learning credits to students who complete a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and enroll in the degree program, and the departmental challenge exam, which grants 3 credits for paraprofessionals and others with classroom experience.
A panel of CUNY-wide experts discussed transfer pathways being created with Hostos.
Next, there was an insightful discussion on pathways, transfer opportunities and future plans for teacher education students, featuring faculty from Hostos’ sister colleges: Dr. Nancy Dubetz, Professor of Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Lehman College; Dr. Euisuk Sung, Assistant Professor and Chair of Career and Technology Teacher Education, New York City College of Technology; Dr. Andrei Jitianu, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Lehman College; and Dr. Wesley Pitts, Professor of Science Education in the Department of Middle and High School Education, Lehman College.
Dr. Dubetz started things off with an overview of Lehman’s Minors to Masters Program, which spans students’ undergraduate and graduate studies and was designed to ensure that all candidates who complete the program are prepared to work successfully with a wide range of learners, regardless of their specialization. Through Lehman’s partnership with the College, Hostos graduates can transfer credits from four particular courses and thus meet half of the requirements of their undergraduate portion of the program.
In addition to speaking about how students articulate into Lehman’s middle and high school education program, Dr. Pitts expressed a need to begin providing counseling for education students taking the Educating All Students (EAS) exam, even before they enter their undergraduate and graduate programs, to further improve exam outcomes. Professors Jitianu and Sung also discussed the opportunities for growth in their respective fields of Chemistry and Computer Science.
After a brief break, Dr. Ashleigh Thompson, University Dean of Education, CUNY, and Chimere Stephens, Senior Director of Recruitment for New York City Public Schools and Director of NYC Men Teach, discussed the immense need for teachers in New York City and the important roles they play in society. “As educators, we can impact people and change society for the greater good,” said Thompson. “Schooling is at the center of our society, and education is a primary lever for justice. These are the same values of human rights and personal dignity that Hostos Community College was founded on more than 50 years ago. So you’re in the right place, guided by your excellent faculty.”
She went on to share why future educators should pursue their degree in education at CUNY, sharing that the University prepares almost a quarter of the teachers in New York State and more than half of the state’s bilingual educators. Stephens added that annually, 40% of the DOE’s new teacher highers come from CUNY. Moreover, 30% of the 5,500 new teachers who were hired this year took positions in the Bronx.
Dr. Babette Audant, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness.
The summit concluded with a panel discussion on emerging technologies’ impact on teacher education moderated by Babette Audant, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, and featuring panelists Dr. Sarah Vogel, Director of Computing Integrated Teacher Education, CUNY; Abeku Hayes, Principal, Choice Charter Schools; Professor Carlos Guevara, Director of the Office of Technology and Co-Director of the Hostos Center for Teaching and Learning; and Professor Miguel Balbuena, Adjunct Lecturer in Hostos’ Education Department.
While discussing integrating technology into the classrooms, Vogel shared that future teachers must learn how to think critically about why they use particular technologies and whether or how they match students’ needs. Hayes also advised that future and current educators not abandon traditional teaching aids, like books and printed material, but rather integrate them into lessons utilizing technology to enhance the learning experience. Similarly, Balbuena touted technology’s ability to enhance students’ understanding of material and also makes knowledge more accessible. Keeping accessibility in mind, Guevara noted that not everyone — students and educators alike — has equitable access to technology or the resources necessary to support the use of tech tools, and the importance of acknowledging and addressing those gaps.
The last panel discussed emerging technologies in education.
Before the summit concluded, DiSanto returned to share the Hostos’ plans for the future, including an A.S. degree in Instructional Technology in articulation with the New York City College of Technology and an A.S. degree in Science Education articulation with Lehman College. To close, President Cocco De Filippis expressed her sincere gratitude for the day’s presenters and guests. “This will help the education move forward in connection with all of the needs,” she said. “I have complete faith that this is going to translate into additional success for the program.”