NYS Teacher Centers were established in 1984 under Education Law 316 to deliver professional development in support of quality teaching. Since that time our state organization has expanded to 125 centers across NYS: each providing unique learning opportunities and partnerships to educators in almost 2,000 public, non-public, and charter schools.

 The Far West Teacher Center Network is comprised of 16 regional centers serving educators in Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua Counties.

 Our network serves over 20,000 educators on a limited combined grant from the state of $1,400,000. From 2009-2013 our program funding was severely cut by an astronomical amount of 64% (see chart below). Thanks to our legislators and the support of our constituents, our funding was increased in 2016 to 50% or 2009-10 levels. In spite of these fluctuations in funding, teacher centers are still providing highly effective professional learning opportunities that support the Regents Reform Agenda to all educators in our region.

• 2009-10 Total funding=$2,800,000

• 2010-11 Total funding=$0

• 2011-12 Total funding=$1,400,000

• 2012-13 Total funding=$730,000

• 2013-14 Total funding=$1,022,000

• 2014-15 Total funding=$1,022,000

• 2015-16 Total funding=$1,022,000

• 2016-17 Total funding=$1,400,000

• 2017-18 Total funding=$1,022,000

• 2018-19 Total funding=$1,022,000

• 2019-20 Total funding=$1,022,000

If you would like to see our work continued and even increased, please contact your local legislators to voice your support! Without your help, we may no longer be able to provide your children’s teachers with the training and support they continually need to offer high quality instruction focused on preparing students for college and career.