Urban Teaching Center

Director, Kathy L. Wood, Ph.D.
woodkl@buffalostate.edu

The Urban Teaching Center and Teacher Diversity was instituted in the fall of 2021. The mission of the Center is to create pipeline programs to recruit the next generation of urban educators, as well as provide professional development for PK – 12 teachers who are committed to serving students in urban schools.

We envision a future where all students, regardless of their background or socio-economic status, have access to highly effective teachers who are committed to their success. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential, and that by preparing exceptional teachers, we can help make this vision a reality.

Our Programs

Urban Teacher Academy

The mission of the Urban Teachers Academy (UTA) is to provide students in grades seven through twelve with learning experiences that will foster and develop interest in serving as classroom teachers and educators in urban communities. The UTA is a four-year program of study offering a hands-on learning environment. Participants receive advance study credits and integrated ELA and Math credit, individual mentoring from an experienced urban teacher, support from Say Yes Buffalo, and work-based learning experiences. Successful participants are eligible for priority employment with Buffalo Public Schools

UTA Programs of Study

Explorations of subjects and grade levels
Preparation to teach in an urban school setting
Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching model
Summer Institute at Buffalo State between junior and senior years
Classroom field experience

UTA Related Certifications

Students earn the following education certifications while in high school:

First Aid CPR/AED
Child Abuse Identification workshop
Violence Intervention and Prevention
Dignity for All Students Act training

UTA Joint Partnership

Students can earn up to 12 college credits while enrolled in high school. Courses include:

Nature and Needs of Students with Special Needs
School and Society
Introduction to Education
Introduction to Sociology

Buffalo Urban Teacher Residency Pipeline and Teacher Opportunity Corp Program

The Buffalo Urban Teacher Residency Pipeline (BUTRPP) and Teacher Opportunity Corp (TOC) Program recruit and prepare students from underrepresented groups for successful careers teaching in high needs urban schools which includes teacher’s aides or assistants already employed in the Buffalo Public Schools. This program serves as a “working” residential program. TOC funding is $965,895 (year 3) and BUTRPP funds an additional $500,000.

Future Ready NYC/Dual Credit Partnership

Future Ready NYC is a student pathway program, integrating the best of college and career preparation, to successfully launch students into strong careers in high-wage, high-demand sectors. Career-connected learning is an educational model that brings together high schools, postsecondary institutions, and employers to create an approach that combines classroom instruction with relevant, real-world experience to prepare students to succeed in a rapidly changing economy. A career-connected pathway is an educational program in a school - a sequence of connected academic and elective classes, work-based learning, early postsecondary college credit and credentials, and advising experiences -- that helps students make clear connections to college and career opportunities. The following schools have been selected to participate in the program starting Fall 2024: Crotona International School and Bronxwood Preparatory School.

Buffalo Urban Teacher Fellowship Program

The New Teacher Project (TNTP) is a national organization that has been working with local institutions of higher education to develop programming to grow the pipeline of teachers entering existing Buffalo-area teacher preparation programs. The Buffalo Urban Teacher Fellowship (BTUF) Program is funded by the Cullen Foundation (2023-2028) and recruits new post-graduate teacher candidates to earn their initial and/or professional teacher certification through their university program of choice and by supporting them from enrollment through job placement through comprehensive wraparound services, including extended induction support.

NYS Department of Labor Teacher Residency Program

The NYS Department of Labor Teacher Residency Program has awarded a $600,000 grant to Buffalo Public Schools to recruit and fund students who are interested in becoming special education teachers. All residents that are in year two of programming work for the entire school year work with a mentor teacher while simultaneously completing their coursework. They are employed and on boarded as Teacher Assistants and placed in self-contained classroom with their mentor. Upon completion of the program participants are required to commit to work in NYS public schools for at least one year.