CSI Honors Sen. Lanza for his $100K support of
Teaching Scholars
February 13, 2008
 New
York State Senator Andrew Lanza was honored by the College of Staten
Island for his enthusiasm, and his $100,000 support, of the
Discovery Institute’s Teaching Scholars program, which provides 200
teaching scholars to 23 public schools on Staten Island.
The innovative program is designed to provide teacher support in the
public schoolroom, as well as give CSI students the opportunity to
see the world of education in action, whether they are planning to
become teachers, or have never given teaching a thought as a career
goal.
“We are deeply grateful for the support that Senator Lanza gives the
college, and are especially proud of the opportunity to serve our
community and its students,” said Tomás Morales, president of CSI,
to the 150-plus Teaching Scholars in attendance at the college’s
Center for the Arts.
Kristina Niesi, a junior at CSI pursuing a degree in linguistics, is
a first-year Teaching Scholar at New Dorp High School. After
thanking Senator Lanza from the podium at the standing-room-only
event, she said “I could tell you of my personal experiences, but I
feel I would be ignoring one of the main reasons why the Discovery
Institute exists, which is for the young students.” She then read
from her students’ letters…
 WHAT
TEACHING SCHOLARS MEAN IN THE CLASSROOM
“I think having two adults in the classroom should become mandatory
one day,” wrote Richard.
“My student teacher graduated high school only a few years ago so
she knows how difficult it is, and she gives good advice to future
high school grads,” added Sheaunese.
Thomas wrote, “I can always turn to my student teacher for help and
support.”
Tiffany stated, “Thank you for supporting this program. It means you
believe in us as students, when most of the time nobody does. Thank
you so much Senator Lanza, and the College of Staten Island, from
the bottom of my heart.”
 “It
is great to be a part of the College of Staten Island Teaching
Scholars program,” said Senator Lanza. “There is no greater calling
than the calling to teach. Teachers truly do have the future in the
palms of their hands, and the opportunity every day to have a
positive influence in the lives of students. I commend CSI for
attracting the best of the best to become the teachers of our
future.”
“It’s a win-win-win-win-win situation,” added Ivin Doctor, director
of the Teaching Scholars program. Doctor notes that the program is a
very cost-effective way for public schoolchildren to gain invaluable
assistance in the classroom from a dedicated Teaching Scholar who is
closer in age, and may have more in common with them. It is an
opportunity to build lasting relationships while providing much
needed teacher support.
“Our purpose is to attract high-performing CSI students from other
career pursuits with the hope that when they become involved in
working with and helping schoolchildren they will be attracted to
teaching as a career pursuit,” continued Doctor. “When they can turn
on the light in a youngster’s eyes and see that smile when he or she
finally understands that which seemed a moment ago to be impossible,
it is a force hard to ignore.”
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