Three Columbia Secondary ELA professors attend NCTA Annual Conference in Philadelphia

Prof. Limaris Caraballo (PhD candidate and ELA Curriculum coordinator) and Prof. Meredith Hill (6th grade ELA and Theatre Arts) recently presented a paper at the NCTA Annual Conference, entitled: Merging research and practice: Literacy and Identity at work in the diverse classroom.  Prof. Erin Bailey (8th grade ELA) also attended the conference.

The presentation explored questions such as:  How can literature contribute to students’ understanding of themselves and others? What role can identity and students experience play in the curriculum?  The presentation was based on research and practice done with Columbia middle school students over the last two years and which will be extended into Prof. Caraballo’s PhD thesis project.

This professional development opportunity was supported by CSS, and is part of our school’s ongoing commitment to support our faculty’s professional development and contribute to their  scholarship and intellectual growth. CSS provides its faculty with professional development opportunities rare in public schools in NYC, including: a weeklong summer overnight retreat in Black Rock Forest, two weekend faculty development days; fully paid membership to a professional organization and journal of their choice; a professional meeting trip anywhere in the world every 2-3 years, and free graduate tuition at Columbia University or Teachers College. During the last 3 years, for example, CSS has provided its faculty with over $80,000 worth of graduate tuition credits, and our faculty have attended professional meetings as far away as London, England.