Professional Development for Educational Interpreters

Long Island Technical Assistance Center

DATE: October 24, 2005

TO: Long Island Educational Interpreters

FROM: Sallie M. Bruno, Long Island Region Coordinator

RE: Program Up-Date

Greetings from the New York State Department of Educationπs Technical Assistance Center (TAC), Long Island Region. As a TAC, we are now under a contract with the State Education Department (SED) through June of 2008.

Over the past years, our data base has expanded to include 155 educational interpreters. We have offered numerous workshops, mentoring, and Silent or Professional Weekends. We have also offered support to many school districts on the Island. We are proud to state that we have had 80% + participation from our educational interpreters. We would like to see that continue.

Our goal for this year is to establish a professional interpreting community. One way we hope to do that is through a newsletter. For our first edition, we are requesting that you submit questions, concerns and/or suggestions. These may be submitted by post or e-mail and should be received by October 20, 2005. Please keep each submission brief. Please include your name. However, you may request that your question/comment appear anonymously for ethical reasons. I will read and reply as appropriate in the newsletter.

Another idea we have to further our goal is to host focus groups on specific topics. Please share topics you believe most benefit you and your colleagues. You will find a section for you to submit your ideas on the enclosed survey.

A third idea for furthering the goal of a professional community is to hold viewings of specific tapes. This would not be a formal workshop, but an opportunity for professionals to discuss their ideas and opinions as they relate to a tape (similar to a book club). We could also have book club meetings. Finally, we will continue to offer workshops and mentoring as the budget allows.

Enclosed you will find a survey form. Please be sure to fill it out and return it to the office by November 11, 2005. It is important that we have your current mailing address. Often we send out invitations and information forwarded to us through e-mail; so please up-date that as well. As our goal is to establish a professional interpreting community, give copies of the survey to any and all colleagues who may be missed by the mailing.

Thank you for your support over the past seven years. Letπs work together to see that educational interpreting on Long Island is given the proper respect it deserves, by those both outside and inside the interpreting community.

Namaste