History

The Mohawk Regional Teacher Center (MRTC) was formally organized with the submission of an application and the awarding of State Funds on August 1, 1984. A commitment was received from the districts and their Boards of Education, and the acceptance by the district teachers' associations for the first formal meeting in July.

Each collective bargaining agent designated a Policy Board Representative. The non-public schools, parents, and businesses were served by one representative each. Higher education had a representative from Herkimer County Community College (now Herkimer College) and Utica University of Syracuse University (now Utica University). Superintendents filled the remaining seats on the twenty-three person Policy Board chaired by Tiz Cooley. Principals were asked to select two representatives in 1988. At alternate times over a three-year term, a third of the board is elected or re-elected, by their respective groups, allowing for continuity. In 1997, the board expanded membership to include a representative from the Herkimer County Teachers' Council.

Teacher Center development of by-laws and policies was priority one. September 1985 saw the hiring of the first director, Sandy Bliss. A mission statement was formulated. Building Ambassadors were appointed that year as well. 

The design of the first letterhead and logo by Jacqueline Banks, Parent Representative, was formally adopted in December 1984. A new logo was developed in 1997 to replace the original design.

In 1987, Laura Spano was named the Teacher Center director. The Teacher Center's Instructional Specialist, Joan Armstrong, was a full-time position from 1988 - 1991. During 1991 - 1992, the Teacher Center experienced a dramatic decline when the NYS did not allocate any funds. Laura Spano operated the Teacher Center on a limited basis from her home in West Winfield. In 1992, the State Legislature once again reinstated Teacher Centers back into their budget. The Mohawk Regional Teacher Center relocated to Herkimer County BOCES in the WEB Complex and then to South Main Street in Herkimer, New York. Then in September of 2006, the Teacher Center moved back to Herkimer County BOCES in the WEB Complex and is now located at the Herkimer BOCES Central Offices Building on German Street. For a short time, Kathy Schabert served as director, followed by Joyce Cristiano, Allan Tecler, Marian Giunta Wilson, Johanna G. Battista, Maria Tubert and Noreen Metz. The current director, Denise DiSpirito, was hired in 2021.

Teacher-driven programs and communications have been and are the main items of the agenda for the Policy Board, as well as updating the Teacher Center's policies. The Beginning Teacher Programs have been available when needed, and have been supplemented with Reflective Seminars offered with Utica College.  Professional Development Scholarships for teachers to attend conferences have been available when the funding allowed.  

The Teacher Center's Policy Board, by Senate Law 9416-B, is autonomous in deciding expenditures. By law, the funds are expended through a public institution called a LEA: Local Educational Agent. Over the years, the Teacher Center has entered into LEA agreements with Herkimer County BOCES, Mohawk Central School and BOCES, respectively.