First Group Completes Fordham Graduate School of Education / Cosby Foundation Program to Aid Young Readers at Risk

NEW YORK, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire

This Monday, twenty New York City elementary school teachers will become the first Ennis William Cosby Certificate recipients at ceremonies held at the Fordham Law School McNally Amphitheatre at Fordham's Lincoln Center Campus, 6-8 p.m. This first cohort of Cosby Scholars participated in a 4 semester, 18 credit course called "Young Readers at Risk," a collaboration between the Fordham University Graduate School of Education and the Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation. The program, which is now recruiting applicants for the third cohort, is designed to give K-2 classroom teachers the knowledge and skills to teach all young children to read.

"Our family is honored that the work of our son and his dedication to helping all children feel the joy, excitement and accomplishments of learning is being carried on by this wonderful group of educators," stated Camille O. Cosby. "We are delighted to hear that the teachers have achieved some wonderful results in their classrooms and hope many more will follow in their footsteps."

"Young Readers at Risk" grew out of Fordham's commitment to urban education (especially in high-needs school districts) and the Cosby Foundation's mission to promote early recognition, compassionate understanding and effective education for children who learn differently.

"I recently visited many of the Ennis William Cosby Scholars in their classrooms in areas where there are multiple barriers to literacy, but I saw young children reading and writing," reported Dr. Joanna Uhry, project director at Fordham. "I saw teachers differentiating instruction to meet all children's needs, and I saw children excited about books and about their own writing. These teachers are skilled and energized by their successful work with their students."

One of the Cosby Scholars expressed the sentiment of the group best: "We were brought together by a commonality in our life work, purpose, vocation and vision involving making New York City Public Schools excellent for all children. We are aware that to take this task on is to become part of something much greater than ourselves. Our life is dedicated not just to a job, but to the principles of a better society."

The McNally Amphitheatre on Fordham's Lincoln Center Campus is located at 140 W. 62nd Street.

Details about the Cosby Scholars program at Fordham can also be found at www.fordham.edu/gse/cosby.htm or call (212) 636-6449.

© 2002 Hello Friend / Ennis William Cosby Foundation. All rights reserved.