The mission of the Richard Gazzola Teacher Center of Yonkers is to meet the needs of teachers in an ever-changing society and school system. Its program is designed to improve teacher effectiveness in the classroom thus, increasing student learning. This involves presenting specific content/strategies for classroom use, providing general knowledge, developing an understanding of Learning Standards and meeting outside needs that indirectly affect classroom training.

The Center provides staff development activities for approximately 2,300 teachers employed by the Yonkers City School District and 500 from the non-public schools who, in turn, serve over 32,000 students. In addition to providing undergraduate, graduate and in-service courses, the Teacher Center provides access to education data, materials and research in order to enhance classroom performance. The Center also provides teachers an opportunity to share ideas and exchange information with their colleagues throughout the district on an informal basis, through workshops and discussion groups. The Center’s Peer Mentoring Program offers an opportunity for classroom support and guidance for newly hired teachers and teachers who request assistance. Monthly newsletters a nd mailings to the schools are used to keep teachers informed of available outside resources.

A Policy Board, made up of a majority of teachers, with administrators, parent, business, private school, and higher education institutions representatives governs the Richard Gazzola Teacher Center of Yonkers.

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