About

About Us

In response to the urgent need to address teacher workforce issues of diversity, retention, and shortage areas, the NYS Educator Workforce Development HUB (supported by federal DOL Apprenticeship Building America funds) is transforming P-20 partnerships for educator preparation.

The HUB will act as an intermediary to provide LEAs such as districts, BOCES, privates or charters (as employers), local union affiliates (as co-sponsors), and partnering institutions of higher education (as related instruction providers) the technical support and networking needed to build and launch Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs).

RAPs allow candidates (known as an Apprentices) seeking initial NYS educator certification to receive a living wage, possible tuition reimbursement and other supports as they apply degree coursework throughout the extended on-the-job training (clinically-rich placements) with an experienced district educator. These one or two year Apprenticeships are proven to increase retention,

grow the number of educators entering the profession, save districts time and money in the hiring process, and diversify the workforce by removing barriers for the equitable recruitment and registration of diverse, underrepresented, and underserved populations.

THE TEAM

The NYS Educator Workforce Development HUB are lifelong educators with experience in the many dimensions of education.

Colleen McDonald

Colleen McDonald, a New York native and National Board Certified Teacher, is the Executive Director of TEACHMEducation Services, LLC and Director of the NYS Educator Workforce Development HUB. Colleen shifted from the classroom after a 32 year career in public education where she held multiple roles as teacher, teacher leader, administrator, grant writer, curriculum writer, statewide grant site director, and elected school board member. She currently leads work as a professional learning facilitator, coach, grant writer, and WSWHE BOCES program coordinator of the Classroom Academy, a sustainable 2-year teacher residency and Apprenticeship program for graduate level teacher candidates. Recently, as a sub-recipient of an Apprenticeship Building America federal DOL grant, Colleen and her organization are leading the HUB to help schools meet workforce challenges.

Rita Floess

Rita Floess, a NYS National Board Certified Teacher, Rita has worked as a gifted and talented educator, elementary teacher, induction coordinator, math coach, National Board Candidate Support Provider. Rita is a past-member of NYS Professional Standards and Practices Board, and an instructor and professional developer for NYSUT and AFT, focusing on increasing teacher efficacy and impact, equity and access. She is an instructor in AFT’s Teaching for Effective Learning, an Adjunct Lecturer at SUNY Plattsburgh, and liaison to districts for NYSUT/NEA’s Educating Early Career Educators for Racial Justice, and the Classroom Academy. Rita brings many areas of expertise including professional and adult learning, differentiation, coaching, policy, diversity education, and teacher leadership.

Ellen Sullivan

Ellen Sullivan has enjoyed a life time of work and advocacy in public education. First as a classroom teacher, then as a NYS Teacher Center Director, before becoming a Research Associate in Educational Services for New York State United Teachers the nation's largest education state labor federation. Ellen's work has involved providing professional development, coaching and leadership at the local, regional and state levels, researching and developing policy guidance, and extensive grant writing and management. Ellen also worked on the NYS Professional Standards and Practices Board and completed the Federal Policy Institute at Columbia College.

Dr. Jean Ann Hunt

Dr. Jean Ann Hunt has had a variety of teaching experiences in urban, rural and suburban areas. Starting her career as a Middle School Teacher in Houston Texas, later moving to rural Southeastern Ohio where she taught and directed the intermediate program for an alternative school and eventually moving to Chicago to teach in an elementary school. She has extensive experience as a curriculum writer and director, as well as a Literacy and Instructional Coach. Currently she works as an Associate Professor in higher education and as a consultant specializing in diversity, curriculum development, professional learning facilitation, coaching, teacher residency, literacy and system change.

Dr. Stephen Danna

Dr. Stephen Danna has 35 years’ experience in teaching and administration, and prior to that, worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office as an oceanographer. Dr. Danna has led state, regional, and system work in the areas of leadership, strategic action planning, policy, grant writing, coaching, climate change, curriculum, brain-based learning and teacher residency. Steve has published in the Journal of Staff Development, The Science Teacher, Journal of School Leadership, The Reading Teacher, and Phi Delta Kappan.

Heather Sweet

Heather Sweet has spent time working in various fields, including education, HR, and event planning. Recently, she spent 9 years working with Ten80 Education, on a team that develops and publishes K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum & trains educators in the art of STEM. Specifically she worked with teachers and professionals as they helped lead their students in virtual and onsite competitions. During the pandemic, she started working as a real estate photographer with In-House Media, learning the techniques of digital and aerial photography. She is eager to support the team and help build the NYS Educator Workforce Registered Apprenticeship Program HUB.

Ellie Fitzgerald

Ellie Fitzgerald is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in the education space. Holding an MA in International Education from George Washington University, D.C, she has demonstrated her commitment to fostering diverse educational experiences on a global scale and promoting experiential learning. Her professional journey commenced by contributing to initiatives at global education organizations, including World Learning and the International Baccalaureate (IB). In addition, she spent a substantial period leading the data and outcomes team for Literacy INC (LINC), a community-based literacy organization in New York City. Most recently during her time at a College and Career education technology company, she spent time collaborating with school districts and higher education institutions to utilize a new college and career readiness platform. She embodies a forward-thinking approach, and is excited to support the educator workforce development HUB and growth of Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs throughout NYS.

TEACHMEducation Services does not discriminate in its programs and activities, including employment and admission as applicable, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, economic status, marital status, veterans' status, political affiliation, domestic victim status, use of a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog, disability, or other classifications protected under federal or state law, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The designated compliance officer(s) will coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, and the New York State Human Rights Law. The TEACHMEducation Compliance Officer is: Colleen McDonald, PO Box 176 Cambridge, NY 12816. phone: (518) 573-6368, email: [email protected]. Complaints may also be filed with the Office for Civil Rights, New York Office, U.S. Department of Education, 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005- 2500, phone (646) 428-3800, fax (646) 428-3843, email:[email protected].