SUNY Potsdam Education Students Receive Career Advice (and Job Offers!) From School Administrators at TESA Conference

SUNY Potsdam Welcomes Record Number of School Administrators for 2018 Teacher Education Student Association Conference

Potsdam, NY (04/26/2018) — More than 100 SUNY Potsdam teacher candidates had the opportunity to meet with school administrators from across the region and state, during the 2018 Teacher Education Student Association Conference.

Education students learned about career opportunities and practiced their interviewing skills during the seventh annual conference, which was held on March 24. A record number of superintendents and principals -- 34 in all, of whom 26 were SUNY Potsdam alumni themselves -- took part in this year's TESA Conference.

The school administrators traveled from throughout Northern and Central New York, and some even came from as far away as Albany and Rochester, to help students prepare to enter the job market. All of the administrators had job openings in their districts, and spoke of an increasing shortage of teachers in all grade levels, especially in special education. Some of the student participants were lucky enough to receive job offers during the conference.

This year's TESA conference was organized by the group's advisor, K. Chad Graham '03, who is also the program coordinator for the College's undergraduate education program. Graham was assisted by TESA members, led by the student organization's officers, Jennifer Wilcox '18, president, and Molly Keefe '19, treasurer.

School administrators who participated in the conference included:

Conference breakout sessions were presented by: Anthony Betrus '93, Pamela Charleson '08, Vanessa Hahn '06, Becky Henderson-Howie, Meaghan Janovsky '06, Justin Loeber, Tammy Madeja, Nancy Mashaw '89, Stephanie Ranger '11, Evan Seitz, Janine Sullivan '08 and Erica Weems '02.

SUNY Potsdam has been preparing educators for more than 200 years. Nearly one in four of the College's graduates earn degrees in education each year. The College's undergraduate and graduate teaching programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Programs are offered both in Potsdam and in Watertown through a partnership with Jefferson Community College, and flexible scheduling is available for graduate programs. Education students benefit from lots of hands-on instructional opportunities, through student teaching placements and through campus educational programs offered at the Rebecca V. Sheard Literacy Center. To learn more about teacher education at SUNY Potsdam, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/education.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

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Media Attachments

Kaitlin McNulty ’18, who is studying secondary science education at SUNY Potsdam, has already signed a teaching contract with Norwood-Norfolk Central School (Photo: Paul Mardy ’18).

Daniel Valenzuela ’11 and Mark Davey ’84 of Champlain Valley Educational Services in Plattsburgh, N.Y., meet with SUNY Potsdam teacher education students during the TESA Conference (Photo: Paul Mardy ’18).

SUNY Potsdam had a record turnout of 34 school administrators, most of whom were also alumni, for the College’s annual TESA Conference (Photo: Paul Mardy ’18).