It was indeed a pleasure speaking with you earlier today. My name is Dr. William Farber and I am an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York. I am also a United States Navy Veteran, and a member of the Disabled American Veterans Organization. I served our country during the Vietnam War, from 1968-1972. As an Ardsley resident, I was always very impressed with your initiatives and events that have supported our veterans throughout the years.

Mercy College, in collaboration with the Yonkers Public Schools, was recently awarded an NSF Noyce Teacher Scholarship to provide veterans of the United States Armed Forces, who have strong math backgrounds, with the courses, internship and financial support that will result in a Master of Science Degree in Secondary Math Education and New York State certification, a credential recognized by many other states. We are seeking your good offices to help us recruit veterans for this exciting opportunity. 

The Mercy College program includes the following components:

•               36 graduate credits

•               A stipend of up to $32,800 for 14 months of participation

•               140 days of clinical internship in a Yonkers public secondary school under the mentorship of an experienced math secondary school teacher

•               On-site support from Mercy College faculty

•               Support to prepare for certification examinations

•               One year of follow-up support

•               Commitment to teach two years in a high need school.

We strongly believe this program will provide veterans with a new gateway to a purposeful life in a deserving community. As important, we strongly believe that these mature men and women will provide qualities of leadership, strength and team work to the profession, improve capacity- building in their schools, and act as professional and personal role models for secondary school students.

We know you are dedicated to a better education for all, the ideal of public service, and to a better New York State. We therefore hope that you can offer us your support for this important effort and distribute the attached flyer. Moreover, I thank you for your offer to appear on your television show on April 15th to discuss the NSF veterans to teachers grant that Mercy College was recently awarded.

Please accept my sincere thanks for your consideration of this worthwhile veterans’ initiative.

Very truly yours,

William L. Farber

Associate Professor, Mathematics Education

Mercy College

555 Broadway

Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

April 4, 2016