History 
English teachers of Chernihiv were trained in newest Western teaching methodology by American educators in the US at Siena College in Loudonville, New York. A year later, in 1994, these trained teachers founded the Chernihiv Association of English Teachers and became collaborative partners with the faculty at Siena College. This partnership promotes language proficiency and professional development of the Chernihiv association teachers.
In addition to continuous sponsorship from Americans for Democracy in Ukraine, Inc. (ADU), the Association has benefited from the generosity of several charitable organizations. Washington World Book Bank and Darien Book Aid have provided an outstanding library of general reading books. The Soros Foundation and The Vidrodzhennya donated equipment and textbooks. Support from ADU has further enabled the development of an extensive collection of teaching resources including methodology texts, reproducible classroom activities, and audio-visual materials. This led to the creation of a Resource Centre.
The “American Class Resource Centre" is open to all members of the Association and offers a wide selection of English-language books, audiotapes and videotapes. These materials are available for checkout or photocopying.
Collections:
There is a large variety of books, on most every topic. Genres include: fiction, young adult fiction, romance, children literature, history, geography, science, social sciences, country studies, and more. There are also current international editions of Newsweek magazine and The Kyiv Post.
Of special interest to teachers are many books on language and methodology. In addition, the resource center has numerous practical lesson ideas and ready-to-use activities for the classroom ready to be photo copied.
Association members meet throughout the year in a supportive professional environment. Members who have attended conferences on teaching methodologies return to the Association to share what they have learned. The centre has the following activities:
- Summer Schools for local school and University Teachers
- Teacher Training Seminars for Student Teachers
- Video Clubs
- Editing and publishing of students’ newspaper
Membership
- Provides access to the materials at the Resource Centre
- Provides stipends in support of participation in professional conferences
- Provides opportunities for participation in professional development workshops sponsored by the Association
Membership is open to teachers of English in Chernihiv.
Hours
Thursdays, 12:00 to14:00
During recess periods
Location and Contacts
The Recourse Centre is located at Chernihiv State Teacher Training University:
53a Polubotka Street Chernihiv 14000, Ukraine
Email:
Tetyana Potapenko, President
Email: happy@iatp.org.ua
Oksana Shkurat, Vice-President
Email: oksaram@mail.ru
To date, there are 9 teacher associations and recourse centres in Ukraine in the cities of Buchach, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Kovel, Myrhorod, Okhtyrka, Odesa, Uzhhorod. These associations are networked and engage in ongoing collaborative activities.
Siena College Teacher Training Program for Teachers of English in Ukraine
