NYSTC Fall Forum 2026 Ignite 6-7: Fueling Passion for Teacher Centers: Full Schedule

9:50am EDT

Delivering Asynchronous Programs in a Meaningful Way

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT

Asynchronous professional learning should be flexible, meaningful, and manageable. Explore practical strategies for designing digital badges and book studies that break learning into achievable steps, encourage reflection, and respect educators’ time. Discover examples of asynchronous programs that balance flexibility, accountability, and meaningful growth.

Speakers

Paul Szymendera

Technology Coach and Teacher Center Director, Sweet Home Betty Summers Teacher Center

Paul Szymendera has served as Director of the Sweet Home Teacher Center since 2005. Over two decades, the Center has explored nearly every model of professional development. As a small, single-district center, its greatest success has come from creating meaningful, manageable, and... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT
Grand F

Professional Learning Session, One

9:50am EDT

Designing High-Impact Adult Learning: Pedagogy vs. Andragogy

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT

Grand E

Effective professional development requires shifting from pedagogy to andragogy (adult-centered learning). In this one-hour session, explore how self-direction, prior experience, and internal motivation transform learning. Master practical strategies to move from direct lecturing to facilitating collaborative, problem-solving experiences tailored to adult needs.

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT
Grand E

Professional Learning Session, One

9:50am EDT

Grant Strategy Speed Share: Rapid-Fire Ideas for Maximum Impact

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT

Regency B

This fast-paced, round-robin networking event allows Teacher Center Directors to rapidly exchange creative grant-spending strategies. Directors share standout projects, learn peer best practices, and break out of old habits by hearing fresh perspectives and ideas.

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT
Regency B

Professional Learning Session, One

9:50am EDT

Keynote Breakout - One Aha kindles insights/actions from five others

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT

Regency A

Sit with people you don’t know well. Explore the power of sharing a sparky “aha” moment and build a metaphorical fire from the “tinder” of small offerings from others at your table. Leave with even more revelations and energy thanks to the Aha! Protocol from NSRF. This session is limited to 20 people.

Speakers

Luci Englert McKean

Director of NSRF Virtual Learning, Assistant Director, International Facilitator, National School Reform Faculty

National School Reform Faculty Assistant Director and Director of NSRF Virtual Learning, Luci co-edited
Protocols for All: 50 Practical Structures to Ensure Engagement, Deepen Learning, and Improve
Facilitation Skills, which reached #1 bestselling status on Amazon in two categories... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT
Regency A

Professional Learning Session, One

9:50am EDT

Pathways to Teacher Leadership (NBCT)

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT

Grand G

Elevate the teaching profession and empower teacher leaders through National Board Certification (NBC). Discover how NBC programs strengthen Teacher Centers by delivering high-quality, job-embedded professional learning and clear leadership pathways across 21 certificate areas. Let’s discuss expanding your center’s reach and impact.

Speakers

JoAnn Murphy-Genter

Director of Mid-Hudson Teacher Center, Mid-Hudson Teacher Center

JoAnn is the director of the Mid-Hudson Teacher Center in New Paltz. I have been involved in Teacher Centers for over 30 years. I started out on the Policy Board and then was a TOSA as Assistant Director and for the past several years the director. I am a Special Education Teacher... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EDT
Grand G

Professional Learning Session, One

11:00am EDT

AI Tools & Prompting Competition

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Grand F

Discover how generative AI can transform workflow as a powerful executive assistant to handle intensive tasks in a fraction of the time. A hands-on session for directors on mastering prompt engineering to streamline and enhance their workflow. Curate and refine a personalized suite of high-impact prompts during an interactive Prompt Challenge.

Speakers

Lee Ferenc

Instructional Technology Coach, Williamsville Teacher Center

Currently serving as a SLT representative for the Far West Network, and New Director Task Group for the New York State Teacher Center Network. In addition, a co-chairperson for the Far West Network and part time director for the Williamsville Teacher Center. During the school day... Read More →

Lauren Crowley

Teacher, White Plains Staff Development Center

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand F

Professional Learning Session, Two

11:00am EDT

Fuel the Passion Without Burning Out

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Regency A

Passion does not run out. It gets buried under everything we carry for everyone else. This session reconnects educators to the reason they said yes in the first place and shows them how to protect that fire from the slow erosion of depletion, make the work sustainable and the love for it stays intact.

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Regency A

Professional Learning Session, Two

11:00am EDT

New Director Debrief

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Grand G

Speakers

Lee Ferenc

Instructional Technology Coach, Williamsville Teacher Center

Jason Manning

DIRECTOR OCEANSIDE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CENTER, Oceanside Professional Learning Center

I am a National Board Certified teacher who has been teaching in the Oceanside School District for the last seventeen years. I graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York & also received his Masters in the Art of Teaching from Union University. At Oceanside I have taught... Read More →

Maria Murillo

Director Brighton Teacher Center, Brighton Teacher Center

Maria is a seasoned educator with 36 years of experience across K–12 and adult education. She began her career teaching Art and Architecture History in adult education before spending a decade teaching middle and high school students. For the past 18 years, Maria has served as a... Read More →

Council Lia

TEACHER, Richard Gazzola Teacher Center

Christine Hanley

Instructional Specialist, UFT Teacher Center

Stacie Harris

Teacher Center Director, Greater Southern Tier Teacher Center

Stacie Harris, Ed.D. has nearly 25 years of experience in K-12 public education, including over a decade of teaching high school English. She has been the director of the Greater Southern Tier Teacher Center since 2018. In June of 2023, Stacie was privileged to travel with 25 educator... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand G

Professional Learning Session, Two

11:00am EDT

Shifting PL to Integrate the Portrait of a Graduate

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Grand E

Explore practical strategies for embedding the NYS Portrait of a Graduate into teacher professional learning. Participants will examine ways to align professional development with the Portrait's competencies, strengthen instructional practices, and design learning experiences that help educators prepare students for the changes.

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand E

Professional Learning Session, Two

9:50am EDT

9:50am EDT

9:50am EDT

9:50am EDT

9:50am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

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