Office of the Mayor

City of New York

Proclamation

Whereas:            We all know from experience the difference that great teachers can make. For me, the best were Ms. Sharkey and Mr. Lally, my English and history teachers at Medford High. Their own passion for learning made me a better person – and I know that before they stood at the front of the classroom every day, a lot of long hours went into making both their and their students’ success possible. New York City’s 1.1 million students are similarly fortunate to attend classes headed by thousands of outstanding teachers. And for 125 years now, teachers both here and far beyond have enjoyed a world-class resource in the venerable Teachers College, Columbia University.

Whereas:            Teachers College is America’s oldest and largest graduate school of education. From its inception in 1887, TC has linked teaching theory and practice, with a focus on meeting the challenges that diverse schools and school systems face. Setting a national standard for innovations in pedagogy, TC has pioneered advances in such areas as urban education, technology, and nutrition policy. Its faculty and graduates also have shaped programs in collaboration with institutions around the world. In addition to this global reach, TC’s continuing response to the demand for services outside the classroom has helped it maintain strong relationships with community leaders here in New York – a commitment the city is proud to recognize as Manhattan’s 120^th Street, home to TC, is co-named “Teachers College Way.”

Whereas:            The conditions that inspired TC’s founding 125 years ago – a time of vast population growth and debates about education reform – are also familiar to everyone working in education today. TC already has produced generations of leaders, instructing them not only in what to teach, but also how to teach – how to connect with students from a broad range of backgrounds in the most meaningful ways. As President Susan Fuhrman, Provost Thomas James, and everyone at TC build on this distinguished history – and as graduate schools and school systems increasingly work together to align teaching standards – we can expect TC to continue playing a vital role in New York City’s efforts to produce even more great curriculum developers, principals, and teachers.

Now therefore, I, Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim Tuesday,

September 3^rd, 2013 in the City of New York as:

“Teachers College Day”

Published Thursday, Sep. 5, 2013