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"The Education Center was created over thirty
years ago by our faculty
to give graduate students the opportunity to work directly with
children, as well as having access to the latest tests that they will
use in their field."
Kathy Berryman
Staff Assistant in the Education Center
Graduate School
The College of New Rochelle
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Kathy, tell us a little
about yourself?
I was born and raised in Mt. Vernon and currently live
in Yonkers on Central Park Avenue.
Have you always worked at
CNR?
No, but I have always worked for non-profit
organizations. I started with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a guide dog
school in Yorktown Heights, and then I worked for The New York Blood
Center in Manhattan. I have always gotten great satisfaction out of
working in these areas. It was when I was at Guiding Eyes that I met
the president of Heyman Associates and went to work for him for twenty
years.
What is Heyman Associates?
Heyman Associates is an Executive Search Firm
(headhunters) specializing in Public Relations and Corporate
Communications, I was the president’s Executive Assistant. I left this
position when my husband became ill and I needed to work in Westchester.
As I understand it, you
are also attending classes at CNR?
Returning to school is a perk
here at CNR, and how could I not take
advantage of the opportunity! I am in my second year in the School of
New Resources. My major is Communications.
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We have three basic
programs. The Can-Do Program is for elementary age
children.
After the Can-Do Program we have a Tutoring Program for children to
continue with one-to-one tutoring, and where specific learning
strategies can be developed.
In addition to these two programs, we have a Reading Program that again
provides one-to-one evaluation and remediation of reading and writing
difficulties.
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Kathy, what is the
Education Center here at CNR?
The Education Center was
created over thirty years ago by our faculty
to give graduate students the opportunity to work directly with
children, as well as having access to the latest tests that they will
use in their field. The Center is located in Chidwick Hall on the main
campus of CNR. It is used by students who are master’s degree
candidates in education, guidance and counseling, and community-school
psychology. All of our students work under the supervision of the
Graduate School faculty.
Kathy, what are the basic
programs of The Education Center?
We have three basic programs.
The Can-Do Program is for elementary age
children. It is an assessment program designed to provide information
related to a child’s educational strengths and areas of academic need.
The children are administered a variety of tests to see where their
weakness and strengths lie. Each assessment includes a complete
educational test battery. The program includes interviews, several
90-minute testing and tutoring sessions, a written report, and a final
conference. This program is offered after school and also for shorter
periods in July.
After the Can-Do Program we have a Tutoring Program for children to
continue with one-to-one tutoring, and where specific learning
strategies can be developed. At the conclusion of this program, parents
receive a written progress report, including recommendations for school
and home. Again, this program is offered after school, from October
through June.
In addition to these two programs, we have a Reading Program that again
provides one-to-one evaluation and remediation of reading and writing
difficulties. Elementary age children are seen by graduate students who
are licensed teachers in the Literacy Education master’s degree
program. The After-school Reading program runs from October through
May. The June-July Reading Program is scheduled in late afternoons in
June and mornings in July.
With regard to these programs, I am responsible for two major mailings
each year where we contact all the private and public schools in
Westchester and the North Bronx.
And all of your programs
are for younger children?
That’s right. We concentrate
the work of our Education Center on elementary school age children,
grades one through six.
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The graduate students
provide the attention and care that these children need. I realize an
hour week doesn’t sound like much, but it makes such a difference for
the children. We have children who are so shy when they first come to
the Center that they won’t even speak to me but by the time the
semester is over they are hugging me when they say goodbye. What a
great feeling!
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What are some of your
success stories at the Education Center, Kathy?
Every child that has come
through the Education Center is a success
story. I get such pleasure in seeing a child at the beginning and then
seeing the same child at the end of the semester and noting how much
the child’s learning skills have improved. The graduate students
provide the attention and care that these children need. I realize an
hour week doesn’t sound like much, but it makes such a difference for
the children. We have children who are so shy when they first come to
the Center that they won’t even speak to me but by the time the
semester is over they are hugging me when they say goodbye. What a
great feeling!
Are these programs
expensive?
No, The Education Center offers each
of these services to the community
at a modest fee. Also, some partial tuition subsidies are available.
How might a parent obtain
more information on these individualized educational evaluating and
tutoring program?
They should call our offices
at 914.654.5333. I will be more than happy
to explain the programs to them and send them additional information.
Thank you, Kathy, for
telling us about the important work being done by the Education Center.
More CNR
Faculty/Staff Q & A:
Thank you. It was my pleasure.
