April 18, 2025
By Molly Urnek

How can the USF College of Education empower teachers to help students succeed in today's rapidly changing world?

In the David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching, this question is top of mind. A $1 million gift is helping the College of Education answer it.

Thanks to the generosity of those who believe deeply in the value of education, the center will be able to expand its programming in innovative directions and reach a broader audience, all while being highly responsive to the evolving needs of school districts.

“A lot of our programming comes from constituents telling us they need support in a certain area,” says David Scanga, director of the center. “This gift will allow us to more often say, ‘Yes, we can help.’”

Established by the family of David C. Anchin, a forward-thinking Russian immigrant whose life was transformed by the power of education, the Anchin Center works with K-12 teachers and leaders to improve the quality of education, support innovation and promote the profession. The center serves over 1,300 teachers globally and offers around 60 workshops annually, most at a very low cost or free thanks to private donations like this one.

“The new teacher series gave me a lot of confidence and the background theoretical knowledge I was lacking,” says Tom Recla, a ninth-grade English teacher in Pasco County who spent 24 years in law enforcement before retiring and becoming a teacher last year. “Most of all, though, it gave me community and mentorship.”

With this gift, the center is expanding its programming related to the integration of technological advancements like AI and data science into teaching and learning. 

“There is a lot of innovation happening in education that needs support, including in AI,” says Scanga. “Every teacher and principal is thinking about the pros and cons, how to apply and leverage those tools appropriately, and how to prepare students to use it.” 

Since the gift is an endowment, this innovation has no expiration date. The center’s team will be able to produce ongoing, research-driven workshops and stay ahead of the latest trends and best practices for years to come.

“High school now is extraordinarily different from what I went through,” says Recla. “Integrating new technology into a curriculum instead of fighting it leads to a lot of growing pains, but the professional development opportunities the center provides are really helping ease those.”

With the extra support, the center will also be able to reach beyond its target audience of practicing teachers to include executive teams in school districts and department leaders.

“It allows us to think beyond the traditional teaching best practices to other components of student life and the health and well-being of a school district,” says Rachel Hatten, associate director of the center. 

New partnerships are already emerging in areas like career technical education with the College Board, new institutes for superintendents and their executive teams, and athletics through the support of student-athletes and their families. 

“This gift arrives at a pivotal moment,” says Jenifer Jasinski Schneider, interim dean and professor of literacy studies in the College of Education. “We’re building new partnerships and embracing technological change, and this support will accelerate our progress.”

The new funds also support the director of professional learning in creating and implementing an innovative portfolio of learning opportunities and work with faculty, community educators and leaders.

“What’s really powerful about the Anchin Center is we get to have one foot in the academy harnessing the good work of faculty, while having the other foot working in service to people in the field,” says Hatten. 

The center’s work in the field fosters the development of responsive programming, from topics covered to how the material is delivered. As Florida faces an ongoing teaching shortage, the center is challenged to adapt to ensure professional learning is not only at the leading edge but also accessible.

“Post-COVID, instructors can’t rely on substitutes to cover for them while they attend courses during the workday,” says Hatten. “We provide evening, Saturday morning and online offerings to best support those on the frontline of education.”

As teachers go above and beyond to ensure student success, the Anchin Center is giving them the tools necessary to succeed themselves. Thanks to this gift, educators and institutional leadership will forever be able to lean on the center as a hub for cutting-edge professional learning.

“Being able to rely on these free resources makes me feel extremely welcomed into the community and gives me a sense of relief knowing there’s somewhere I can rely on for support,” says Recla.

With their eyes on the future, the center’s leadership is dreaming big.

“We want to think in terms of what educators need to help move our systems of education in a direction that will become world-renowned,” says Scanga. “Our reputation will be one of innovative changemakers who give students an equal opportunity.”