Background

The Mohawk Regional Teacher Center (MRTC) was formally organized with the submission of an application and the awarding of State Funds on August 1, 1984. A commitment was received from the districts and their Boards of Education, and the acceptance by the district teachers' associations for the first formal meeting in July.

Each collective bargaining agent designated a Policy Board Representative. The non-public schools, parents, and business are served by one representative each. Higher education has a representative from Herkimer County Community College (HCCC) and Utica College of Syracuse University. The superintendents filled the remaining seats on the twenty three person Policy Board chaired by Tiz Cooley. The principals' asked to select two representatives in 1988. At alternate times over a three year term, a third of the board is elected or re-elected, by their respective groups, allowing for continuity. In 1997, the board expanded membership to include a representative from the Herkimer County Teachers' Council.

Teacher Center development of by-laws and policies were priority one. September 1985 saw the hiring of the first director, Sandy Bliss. A "vision" or mission statement was formulated. Building Ambassadors were appointed that year as well.

The design of the first letterhead and logo by Jacqueline Banks, Parent Representative, was formally adopted in December 1984. A new logo was developed in 1997 to replace the original design.

In 1987, Laura Spano was named the Teacher Center director. The Teacher Center's Instructional Specialist, Joan Armstrong, was a full-time position from 1988 - 1991. During 1991 - 1992, the Teacher Center experienced a dramatic decline when the State did not allocate any funds. Laura Spano operated the Teacher Center on a limited basis from her home in West Winfield. In 1992, the State Legislature once again reinstated Teacher Centers back into their budget. The Mohawk Regional Teacher Center relocated to Herkimer County BOCES in the WEB Complex and then to South Main Street in Herkimer, New York. Then in September of 2006, the Teacher Center moved back to Herkimer County BOCES in the WEB Complex where it continues to remain. For a short time, Kathy Schabert served as director, followed by Joyce Cristiano, Allan Tecler, and Marian Giunta Wilson. The current director, Johanna G. Battista, was hired in November 2007.

Programs and communications have been and are the main items of agenda for the Policy Board, as well as updating the Teacher Center's policies. The Beginning Teacher Programs and Professional Development Scholarships have remained hallmarks of our center over the years.

The Teacher Center's Policy Board, by Senate Law 9416-B, is autonomous in deciding expenditures. By law, the funds are expended through a public institution called a LEA: Local Educational Agent. Over the years, the Teacher Center has entered into LEA agreements with Herkimer County BOCES, Mohawk Central School and BOCES, respectively.