The Best School Year Ever

On behalf of the WNY Teacher Center Policy Board and myself, welcome back to school!

It’s been a busy summer for our Teacher Center, kicking off the season July 1 with the Summer Conference: The Engagement Playground, featuring the power of play, mindfulness, hands-on learning, brain breaks that work, sensory play, and more. Our 19 summer courses and book studies provided practical strategies on topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Cultural Responsiveness, Social-Emotional Learning, Effective Classroom Management, Educator Wellness, Student Motivation, Alternative Assessments, Research-Based Pedagogy, and more.

Whether you are just starting your career, closing in on retirement, or somewhere in between, this time of year can be highly emotional, with excitement, trepidation, nostalgia, hopefulness, anxiety, optimism, and stress all vying for control of your limbic system. As you experience the anxiety that is inevitable at the beginning of the school year, please lean on the strategies you learned from our courses in the past and remember that we are here to support you in the future. Come in to the Teacher Center to use our equipment and materials, borrow books or other resources, and/or take some of our outstanding professional learning opportunities, taught by current or recently retired teachers who understand your challenges. You can find our Fall catalog on Frontline or on our website calendar. We hope that the professional learning and support we provide will help you remain calm and confident as you make 2026-27 the best school year ever!

Jon Erwin

Director, WNY Teacher Center