Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education (GSE) will now serve as the NYC Professional Development Resource Center (PDRC) for religious and independent schools.
On April 27, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) awarded the school’s Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP), in collaboration with the GSE’s Center for Catholic School Leadership and Faith-Based Education this prestigious honor.
Associate Dean Anita Vazquez Batisti directs the CEP and Gerald Cattaro, helms the Center for Catholic School Leadership and Faith-Based Education.
“This contract comes at a very opportune time,” Batisti said. “The assistance we can provide with professional development in online learning is of great value at this moment, when teachers have to navigate the new landscape of educating students using distance learning tools. We are excited to officially begin our work offering administrators, teachers and the entire school community access to the many benefits of our PDRC’s in-person and virtual professional learning opportunities.”
One school already benefiting is Preston High School at 2780 Schurz Ave., an all-girls Catholic high school in Throggs Neck.
“Our professional development during this challenging time has been greatly enhanced by the various virtual offerings available from the Fordham PDRC,” stated Dr. Christina Zeoli, science department chairperson.
Under the leadership of Dean Virginia Roach, Fordham’s GSE has a track record of preparing teachers, psychologists and leaders. It is through the CEP that Fordham provides professional development and technical assistance for practitioners in the field through various state and city contracts.
“The Fordham PDRC team is ready to utilize its combined experience, knowledge, and expertise to offer customized and differentiated professional development opportunities to the schools,” Cattaro said. “We are grateful to be able to offer this needed knowledge to the religious and independent school communities.”
The CEP also introduced Roser Salavert, as director of the Fordham PDRC. Salavert has served in New York City schools as well as held state-level positions. Her experiences as a teacher, school psychologist and superintendent of schools equipped her with a deep understanding of the needs of religious and independent school communities and the ability to respond appropriately, especially by working in literacy and technology integration.
For more information on the Fordham Graduate School of Education’s Center for Educational Partnerships, email abatisti@fordham.edu
