by Elizabeth Turner | Apr 16, 2026 | Staff
Through a grant from the Cullen Foundation, high school students from Tapestry Charter School and BuffSci Charter School have been spending the 2025-26 school year exploring the teaching profession. The partnership with Canisius aims to introduce the teaching profession as an achievable and rewarding career to high school students and transition them into a teacher preparation program with the hope that the students will return to teach in their alma mater.
Grow Your Own Initiatives, as they are called, are increasing in frequency around NYS and the country.
The students are enrolled in EDU 100 (Exploring the Teaching Profession) within their high school schedule. They are awarded Canisius University credit upon successful completion of the course and a 15-hour internship in their K-8 buildings alongside certified teachers.
On March 30, 19 high school students spent the day learning about teaching pathways, sitting in on classes with professors, eating in the dining hall, touring campus, and listening to a panel of current education majors. There is already one Tapestry student committed to pursuing a career in teaching at Canisius next year.
by Elizabeth Turner | Apr 7, 2026 | Staff
Students in Foundation of Education (EDU 250) continue to volunteer at Buffalo Public Schools Community School events as part of their service-learning experience.
Under the guidance of Professor Kasprzak, students support local families at Thursday evening and Saturday morning events across Buffalo. Most recently, they assisted at a school dance at Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School 59. They have also contributed to events at Hutch Tech High School, North Park Community School, East Community High School, Hamlin Park Academy, and Burgard High School.
Collectively, students logged more than 100 hours of service in February and March, bringing energy, enthusiasm and much-needed support to each event they attend!
by Elizabeth Turner | Dec 2, 2025 | Staff
Griffs enrolled in EDU 250 Foundations of Education volunteered at over fifteen (15) Buffalo Public School Community School family events throughout the fall semester. Students spent Thursday evenings and Saturday morning at BPS schools assisting with robust progamming organized by Say Yes Buffalo School Navigators.
Saturday Academies are a time where buildings open their doors to the entire community, bringing in valuable resources, engaging vendors and activities for all ages. Free breakfast and lunch are provided. Canisius students learned about this beneficial community resource as they assisted with family registration, helped young children with crafts, played math games with middle schoolers, supervised open gym time and assisted at petting zoos! A few of the schools Canisius partners with include BPS #74 Hamlin Park, BPS #301 Burgard High School, and BPS #59 Charles Drew Science Magnet School.
Thanks for your help, Griffs!
Submitted by Elizabeth Turner, Director of Educational Partnerships
by Elizabeth Turner | Oct 23, 2025 | Staff
On Thursday, October 16, teaching candidates from the School of Education & Leadership Studies who are currently student teaching at Tapestry Charter High School, joined Tapestry juniors and seniors for a roundtable lunch discussion about careers in education. The high school students are enrolled in EDU 100: Exploring the Teaching Profession, a course taught on-site by Canisius alum and Tapestry instructional coach Allie Freeburg.
During the discussion, the high schoolers had the opportunity to ask the Canisius education majors about topics such as lesson planning, pathways to becoming a teacher and life as a college student. Programs like this are part of a growing effort to introduce high school students to the teaching profession—especially important during the current nationwide teacher shortage.
Often referred to as “Grow Your Own” initiatives, these programs aim to inspire students to pursue degrees in education and eventually return to their communities to teach. Locally, the Cullen Foundation provides grant funding to support partnerships between Canisius University and schools like Tapestry Charter High School and BuffSci High School, helping to strengthen and expand these efforts.
Submitted by Elizabeth Turner, Director of Educational Partnerships
by Elizabeth Turner | May 1, 2025 | Staff
Over 16 public, private, and charter schools were represented throughout a specialized professional development series for new teachers in the WNY area. The Golden Griffin Professional Learning Community (PLC) met monthly from November-April and provided support relative to the needs of those new in the field: classroom management, working with diverse learners, self-care for teachers, family engagement and more. Eight facilitators (veteran teachers) provided ongoing support and resources for their own small groups of novice teachers. The series concluded on April 24th with members engaged in a Book Talk based on one of four recommended books. Participating teachers and facilitators were eligible for CTLE credits through Canisius University. This series was made possible by a grant from Key Bank, secured by Dr. Marya Grande. Dr. Grande and Elizabeth Turner facilitated the Thursday evenings and enjoyed working with alumni, current graduate students and future graduate students of Canisius University!
Submitted by: Elizabeth Turner, Director of Educational Partnerships
