In the News: Buffalo State Teams Up with Buffalo Schools to Fill Special Ed Teacher Void
Buffalo State University was recently featured in the Buffalo News for its role in a new collaboration with the Buffalo Public Schools to help fill the special education teacher void in the city.
The article, “Buffalo Schools’ Teacher Residencies with Canisius, Buffalo State Help Fill Special Education Teacher Void,” by Ben Tsujimoto, outlined a new residency program in which current Buffalo Schools teacher assistants and substitutes can earn special education certification and a master’s degree in less than two years, and then have an opportunity to teach in a city school district, where there is high need for special education teachers.
Kathy R. Doody, Ph.D.
The eight residents in the program will continue their work in the school district while completing graduate coursework; they will also assume teacher assistant roles in Buffalo Schools special education classrooms under the mentorship of veteran teachers.
One of the benefits of residency is that since candidates work in teacher assistant roles during their studies, they have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in real time. Tsujimoto interviewed Kathy Doody, Buffalo State professor and associate chair of graduate programs in exceptional education, who said the program offers “a tight alignment.”
Doody also said that for those who wish to pursue graduate degrees, “most of the time, the obstacle is funding.” In addition to an estimated $32,000 in salary and benefits, residents will receive a $15,000 stipend through a Department of Labor Grant.
Aside from practical skill development, Doody said, compassion is also emphasized to Buffalo State’s graduate candidates—not only for students, but also for parents facing a “really complex system to navigate.”
The article said that Buffalo State sees the potential in growing its partnership with the Buffalo Schools. This teacher residency option complements already existing apprenticeships and fellowships, such as the Buffalo Urban Teaching Fellows, Urban Teacher Academy, and Find Your Path Back to Teaching programs.
