Mr. Joseph B. Porter

"My spouse and I enjoyed the opportunity to take part in the Chamber's fall Executive Institute series," said Joseph Porter, vice president for legal and government affairs for Excelsior College.

Joseph B. Porter, vice president for legal and government affairs and general counsel at Excelsior College, was the keynote speaker. An Arbor Hill native, he described a simple but bold equation for the graduates -- Vision + Hard Work = Success.

"Get a strong vision of the life you want to lead, and don't let anyone knock you off track," he said, reminding them to also follow their dreams.

"Your dreams matter and you owe it to yourselves to pursue those dreams with enthusiasm and vigor," Mr. Porter said.

Joseph Porter succeeds Robert Stone, who is retiring at the distance learning college.
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Porter, of Loudonville, was executive director of the state Office of Teaching Initiatives and director of policy implementation for the Education Department's Office of Higher Education and the Professions.

Historically, close to 50 percent of people who complete teaching programs and earn teaching certificates leave the profession within five years, said Joseph Porter, executive director of the department's Office of Teaching Initiatives.
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"In many areas, we're producing enough teachers," Porter said.

Still, the state is concerned about shortages in certain areas in math, science, language and special education, he said.
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The Board of Regents hopes new state requirements will help teachers stay in the profession, Porter said.

The idea was to give education students "more focused preparation" in the area where they would teach, said Joseph Porter, executive director of the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives, part of the Education Department.
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But Porter said there's "no evidence to support those concerns.

"The needs of the marketplace will reveal themselves," and students can plan accordingly, he said.
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Some studies have indicated between 50 percent and 60 percent of teachers leave the profession within five years, Porter said.

If they work with an experienced teacher, the state hopes it will "persuade more teachers to stay in the profession, not leave in frustration," Porter said.
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Porter said the state is going to have to wait to see how the changes play out."I think folks need to give it a chance," he said.

The department will work with researchers to do long-term studies, following new teachers for the next five years.The Board of Regents is willing to make adjustments if necessary, Porter said.

"We're just at the beginning of the journey," he said.

"There's a huge shortage of good teachers," said Joseph Porter, executive director of the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives, part of the state Education Department.

He said he's concerned the new requirement may result in teachers becoming uncertified and in turn, unemployable.

Announcement from Joseph Porter, Executive Director

ALBANY, N.Y. - September 6, 2005 - Joseph B. Porter has been named vice president for legal and governmental affairs and general counsel, replacing Robert D. Stone, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
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As the chief legal officer of Excelsior College, Mr. Porter will oversee the College's legal activities.He will also manage outside counsel while assisting trustees, officers of the institution, and staff in carrying out the mission of the College.

"We are pleased and fortunate that Joe has agreed to join us as general counsel" said Murray H. Block, interim president of Excelsior College.
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A resident of Loudonville, N.Y., Mr. Porter has extensive legal experience in New York's education law after serving almost nine years as deputy counsel of the New York State Education Department.Prior to joining Excelsior College, he was executive director of the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives and director of policy implementation for the Education Department's Office of Higher Education and the Professions.

Mr. Porter is a graduate of Manhattan College.He earned his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School of Union University.

Joseph B. Porter, Deputy Counsel, State Education Department

Presenter, Joseph Porter, Executive Director, NYSED