Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers Held Recognition Brunch

On Thursday, May 24, 2018, over 180 distinguished guests including local, county, state and federal officials, prominent educators, supporters and current and future teachers joined in the Celebration of White Plains based Today's Students Tomorrow's Teachers ™(TSTT) Annual Recognition Brunch. The event took place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tarrytown, 455 South Broadway, NY 10591.

TSTT’s Annual Recognition Ceremony is an opportunity for the organization to honor leaders in education, dedicated teachers, and future educators on their accomplishments over the past year. TSTT payed tribute to Lois Bronz, the first African American female to chair the Westchester County Board of Legislators, and one of the organization’s long-time supporters. Following the presentation, Bronz’s daughter, Francine Shorts, retired Greenburgh School Psychologist, announced the “TSTT Lois Bronz Scholarship” that will enable a deserving high school student to join the TSTT program and will continue the Legacy of Lois Bronz, a former teacher, who advocated for education and civil rights.

Sterling Roberson of the United Federation of Teachers served as Master of Ceremonies. Other prominent members of the community attended including Legislator Alfreda Williams and New York State Regents Chancellor, Betty Rosa, who both spoke about the critical role TSTT plays in diversifying the teacher workforce.

The 2018 honorees for the event included Pioneer Award recipient, Dr. LaRuth Gray, Scholar in Residence, New York University; Visionary Award recipient, Regent Judith Johnson, New York Board of Regents; and Trailblazer Award recipient, Dr. Letitia S. Payne, a TSTT alumna and Special Education Teacher at Anne M. Dorner Middle School in Ossining, New York.Dr. Payne, a Perkins Scholar (10-year teacher) earned her doctorate degree this past May 2018 from Manhattanville College. In addition, six teachers were honored as Perkins Scholars and presented with golden apple awards. They joined over 25 previously honored Perkins Scholars who have reached the milestone as TSTT 10-year teachers.TSTT graduating high school and college seniors were recognized with red and green apple awards, respectively.

Dr. Bettye Perkins, TSTT Founder and CEO commented that "All of our honorees stand on the shoulders of Lois Bronz. Thanks to our community of extraordinary supporters including school district and college partners, business and community leaders and friends of education, we can witness student success when our stakeholders work collaboratively. “

Event sponsors included Entergy, United Federation of Teachers (UFT), Morgan Stanley, Colgate-Palmolive, Westchester County, and The Jandon Foundation.

About Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers™ (TSTT):

TSTT is an innovative career development model that addresses teacher of color shortages, by recruiting and mentoring culturally-diverse high school students through college and placing them in employment as teachers and leaders who will inspire and strengthen their communities.TSTT began in 1994 with only seven students as part of a strategy Dr. Perkins recommended to the Ossining School District to help recruit teachers of color to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. "TSTT has grown dramatically; today, there are over 165 TSTT alumni and nearly 800 high school and college students who are on their way to become teachers in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Virginia.

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