Marcia Swiatek, a clinical assistant professor in Medaille College’s School of Education, received the R. Neal Appleby Outstanding Teacher Educator Award from the New York State Association of Teacher Educators (NYSATE) at its Spring Conference on April 23.
Dr. Jerry Rivera Wilson, president of the NYSATE, presented the award to Swiatek. In her speech following the acceptance of the award, Swiatek spoke about the need to continue to be proactive on the issues and concerns that confront educators. She urged the continuation of dialogue among stakeholders, such as school board members, the NYS Governor’s Office, representatives in the NYS Senate, the Education Commissioner’s Office, the NYS Education Department and the Board of Regents to ensure quality education for all the children in New York State.
The R. Neal Appleby Outstanding Teacher Educator Award recognizes individuals who have worked to nurture the intellectual, personal, and professional growth and development of teachers at various stages of their professional lives. The selection criteria are based on the Standards for Teacher Educators published by the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE).
“Marcia Swiatek is an active and engaged member of Medaille’s School of Education,” says Dr. Illana Lane, chair of the Elementary Education program and associate professor in the School of Education. “She has mentored new faculty and developed important partnerships with elementary schools.”
Swiatek has been an active member of the Association of Teacher Educators on the state and national level for over 25 years and is a past president of the New York State Association of Teacher Educators. She joined the Medaille faculty in 2000, and earned her B.S., M.S., and C.A.S. in education from Buffalo State College. She primarily teaches graduate courses at Medaille’s Amherst Campus. Prior to teaching at Medaille, she taught elementary classes in the Lancaster Central School District.
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Hmmm .. I wonder if Medaille, as a “group” of educators, could propose a “method” that would dramatically reduce high school dropouts? It would put us on the map, turn attention of an entire nation to little ole Medaille College, give an entire generation of students hope for the future. I do believe that I have an answer to the dropout rate, if only the sense of innovation in Albany were “perked” a bit. Love to share the idea with you.