new teacher articles

Help with meeting state requirements

Aug 13, 2009 12:34 PM

The UFT offers many programs to help you hone your skills and meet state certification requirements. The entire schedule of state certification exams can be found online at http://www.nystce.nesinc.com.

Low-cost options

You can turn to the union for these low-cost options:

• Coaching courses to help you pass the state-mandated Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST) and the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W). The coaching sessions stress test-taking skills and familiarize you with test formats. Look for the ad in the Sept. 17 issue of the New York Teacher or call 1-212-475-3737 for details.
• Coaching for the performance video required for permanent state certification. Look for the ad in the Sept. 17 issue of the New York Teacher or call 1-212-475-3737 for details.
• A two-hour workshop in child abuse recognition and reporting, another state requirement. Look for times and locations in the UFT Fall Courses Catalog inserted in this newspaper. Course listings will also be published in January and June.
• A violence-prevention workshop required of all new teachers who applied for state certification after Feb. 1, 2001. Watch for times and locations in the fall course catalog and in each issue of this newspaper.

Check “The Newer Teacher” page of the New York Teacher for announcements about upcoming dates for these courses and workshops, as well as for reminders about upcoming test dates and deadlines.

Accurate information and individual help

In addition, the UFT offers help with individual questions or problems you may have about achieving state certification. For accurate information about this vital area of your professional life, you can turn to:

• TeacherLine, the UFT’s telephone and e-mail help-line. Just call 1-212-253-8800 or e-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to get expert help with certification, instructional strategies, classroom management and other professional matters.
• The UFT’s Certification Services Department. Call 1-212-420-1830 for assistance with certification problems or to make an appointment for an individual consultation.
• Educational liaisons, based in every UFT borough office. They are ready to come to your school with a presentation on certification and other professional issues or to work with you individually, either at school or in your UFT borough office.