Education Pathway students from WPHS and Port Chester come together for symposium

White Plains High School Education Pathway students were recently joined by their peers from Port Chester High School for an insightful symposium that brought together aspiring educators to provide the scholars with an early exposure to the profession.

The event kicked off with warm welcomes by White Plains Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca and Port Chester Schools Superintendent Dr. Aurelia Henriquez, who both emphasized the importance of cultivating the next generation of educators through meaningful partnerships.

The 42 students were then greeted by White Plains Teachers Association President Kara Lyons and White Plains High School Assistant Principal Sara Hall, who underscored the value of collaboration between school districts and higher education partners.

WPHS Principal Emerly Martinez spoke to the long-term impact of the program on students and the district.

“The field of education needs well-rounded individuals, and here in White Plains our Tigers leave us ready for the real world,” he said. “It’s no surprise that so many of them will make strong candidates to return and join our faculty and staff. We remain committed to this grow-your-own approach and want to give as many Tigers as possible the chance to learn while earning college credits through this pathway.”

Ms. Hall highlighted the collaborative nature of the event.

“The WPHS Education Symposium was a wonderful opportunity for students from two districts to come together and explore the many facets of education,” she said. “It stands as a true testament to the collaborative spirit of White Plains, made possible through the support of our Board of Education, superintendent, local legislators, Pace, WCC and WPTA.”

Students also heard from Heather Lacky, chief of staff from state Assemblyman Chris Burdick’s office, who spoke about community leadership and public service, and Rachel Estroff, chief of staff for state Sen. Shelley Mayer, who highlighted the role education plays in strengthening communities and shaping public policy.

The heart of the symposium was a dynamic panel discussion featuring a slate of education professionals who shared their personal journeys and insights into working in schools.

The panelists included school counselor Yanell Andujar, speech and language pathologist Erica Prato, school social worker Sue Murphy, school psychologist Dr. Christopher Wong, WPHS teacher Marlena Simmons, Port Chester special-education science teacher Perla Funos, Port Chester teaching assistant Diego Bautista and PACE School Partnership leader Jen Argenta.

Ms. Simmons emphasized the importance of shared learning.

“When education students and experienced educators come together, we create a community that shares ideas, strengthens our practice and supports the next generation of teachers,” she said. “Collaboration and networking are critical aspects of a good teacher training program.”

Following the panel discussion, students received a hands-on primer on union benefits, giving them a clearer understanding of the professional support mechanisms and advocacy available to educators in their careers.

Ms. Lyons reflected on the growth of the program and its broader significance.

“Our Educator Pathway Program shows how an opportunity to try something new can grow into something with real impact,” she said. “We are grateful for the seed funding from (New York State United Teachers), the support of our legislators, school board and the White Plains City School District, and the enthusiastic backing of our superintendent and community partners like Pace University and Westchester Community College.

“Seeing our students connect with peers from Port Chester was a powerful example of what collaboration and community can achieve, and we can’t wait to see these young educators return to our schools as classroom teachers,” Ms. Lyons added.