ABOUT RTCI
The mission of the Rockland Teachers’ Center Institute is to be the link between the schools, the home, and the community. To accomplish this goal, Rockland Teachers’ Center Institute provides ongoing, high-quality, life-long learning opportunities and technical assistance for teachers, administrators, children, parents, and other members of the community.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Services for Educators
Graduate and Inservice
Courses
Our graduate courses
in education and inservice workshops are designed to help teachers in their
classrooms. Courses are taught by veteran teachers who share best practices
based on experience and research. Course projects and hands-on activities are
designed so that teachers can apply what they’ve learned to their own classroom
situation. Improved student achievement is the end result!
RTCI course offerings are aligned with the NYS Standards. Classes generally follow public school calendars and are offered locally in participating districts. Thanks to in-kind services for our sites and special arrangements with our colleges, RTCI is able to offer most graduate courses at reduced cost to students. Participants may opt to receive graduate or inservice credit for many of our offerings, depending on school district approval. Most of our courses are open to any participant. Courses which are part of a master's degree or certificate program may usually be taken by students who are not in the program, depending on available space. Each college has its own requirements for maximum number of credits allowed by a student before matriculation.
Master's and Certificate Programs
RTCI offers master’s programs and certificate programs through many colleges
and universities.
Teacher Resource Room and Computer Lab
Educators are
invited to use our Ellison Letter Cutter, cold laminator, poster printer, and
scanner for school projects, bulletin boards, etc. In addition, our computer lab
is complete with ISDN-based video-conferencing and PC work stations.
Services for Districts
RTCI serves as a clearinghouse for numerous educational resources and
provides technical assistance for grant writing, data analysis, and professional
development programs.
Certification Help
RTCI can help career changers and other individuals to meet certain NYS
certification requirements through such services as fingerprinting, tutoring for
LAST, CST, and ATS-W, state-mandated workshops, CLEP tests, and certain master’s
degree programs which provide initial certification.
Advocacy
RTCI staff represent teacher interests at a variety of regional and
statewide committees and conferences, advocating for educators’ professional
needs and concerns.
Community Services
Student Activities
RTCI sponsors a
variety of student activities which support academic achievement:
Video Conferencing and
Technology Training
Our state-of-the art
computer lab is available for individual or group use. In addition, classes in
computing, Internet use, and Microsoft software are available for educators,
retirees, and businesses.
Cultural Events
The S.T.A.R. (Schools Together for the Arts and Resources) committee shares
cultural arts programming information and resources among schools, while S.T.A.R.
Family Theater provides affordable, high-quality entertainment for families.
Retired Teachers’ Center
This initiative serves retired educators and school-related personnel as
well as other community members by providing cultural events, workshops, trips,
clubs, and volunteer and employment opportunities.