Katherine “Ellie” Webster ’12 spends time with students at Charles E. Riley Elementary in Oswego. Master’s-seeking teachers specializing in the key areas of science, math and TESOL will take assignments in Central New York and Downstate as part of a pilot program starting this fall.

The state Education Department will use $1.73 million in federal Race to the Top funding to support a three-year, graduate-level proposal to raise the bar on traditional student teaching.

The Oswego Residency Initiative for Teacher Excellence, or O-RITE, encompasses two school placements totaling an academic year as well as summer residencies with two community organizations and a variety of other degree requirements.

“I think it (the grant) is going to allow Oswego to take a leadership role in these sorts of teacher-residency programs,” said Lorrie Clemo, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. “One of the reasons this money is so important is that it will enable us to reconstitute the teacher-preparation model for high-need schools.”

Candidates’ undergraduate degrees must be in math, a science or linguistics. Full scholarships and living stipends in exchange for a commitment to stay in the

Steven Vincent ’13 interacts with students at Charles E. Riley Elementary in Oswego. A new pilot program aims to put master’s-seeking teachers in high-needs districts in Central New York as well as New York City starting this fall.

district after the placement ends are aimed at midcareer professionals.

A former teacher in the Bronx, O-RITE Field Coordinator Anneke McEvoy is familiar with the lack of science and math courses — and people to teach them — in disadvantaged districts.

“We really are targeting shortage areas,” McEvoy said. “Right now I’m reaching out to schools and finding out what they need from us in terms of plans and goals.”

Project leader Dr. Barbara Garii, associate dean of education, said the new program presents an opportunity to add special education to the secondary education experience.

“If we combined secondary education with the special education, then we saw that students who come through our program could walk into schools — in Syracuse, in Oswego County, in New York City — with really solid grounding that would enable them to support students across boundaries,” Garii said.

Tom Gillen ’72 is Oswego’s new mayor.

Gillen won the Nov. 8 mayoral election 2,426 to 1,234, a margin of 2 to 1, against opponent William D. “Dave” White ’92.

“It’s a thrill and honor to be the mayor of this community,” Gillen said. “I’m happy that I can play a part in helping this community grow into the 21st century.”

Gillen grew up in Oswego and attended Oswego State in the 1960s, when the college experienced unprecedented growth.

Coming from a small community, Gillen believed that he held limited views until attending college.

“It opened my eyes to a lot of different people and ideas,” Gillen said.

Gillen graduated with an English degree and earned his teaching certificate, but instead went into sales and marketing, working for companies like AT&T and Apple. He left Oswego for a short period of time, but returned after the birth of his first daughter.

“I wanted my children to grow up like I did, in a traditional small city upbringing,” Gillen said.

After retiring, Gillen made the decision to run for mayor. He took office in January and will serve a four-year term. l

— Erin Marulli ’13