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November , 2025 —<\/em> Teaching can be a challenge in any setting, but for PEF teachers in Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) youth secure centers, the student demographic is unique, and their needs are varied. We interviewed several teachers in Department of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth facilities to get an inside look at what they do every day for the sometimes-forgotten youth of New York.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jason Courrege, Bureau of Youth Academics and Scholarship, Content Curriculum\u00a0Coordinator<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A joy of learning propelled 10-year PEF member Jason Courrege into a teaching career.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2010, he joined the teaching staff at Red Hook Residential Center, eventually becoming the education administrator before it shuttered in 2021. He then moved to Brookwood Secure Center where he oversaw the college program,\u00a0and\u00a0now\u00a0he works as the content curriculum coordinator for social studies at the Bureau of Youth Academics and Scholarship.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI created a passion of understanding the U.S. Constitution and learning from our past,\u201d he said. \u201cThrough my joy of learning I get to teach students about the lives of others who came before us and how to apply their life lessons.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n OCFS students are unique and bring their own challenges.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur students come from all across New York state, ages 13 to 21,\u201d Courrege said. \u201cMany are students of color and feel disenfranchised from the system that locked them up. The common demographic between many of our students is socio-economic neglect. I characterize our students as \u2018reluctant learners.\u2019 Overall, our students have not been successful in the\u00a0public-school\u00a0setting and typically view education as an\u00a0annoyance\u00a0and something they never have succeeded at.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Teachers at OCFS\u00a0strive\u00a0to find ways to build a supportive system of success,\u00a0so students feel and see their accomplishments and are empowered to focus on high school graduation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTeaching our reluctant learners is the most\u00a0fulfillment\u00a0I have ever\u00a0received professionally,\u201d Courrege said. \u201cWatching young people achieve their goals,\u00a0that\u00a0they believed\u00a0they would never have the chance to achieve, is worth all the stress and hard work of educating them.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The work is made harder by\u00a0lack\u00a0of space and tools at OCFS facilities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBecause of strict safety protocols,\u00a0certain educational activities and materials can\u2019t be used within the facility,\u201d Courrege said. \u201cThere are many challenges providing educational services in a secure or limited secure facility \u2013 the biggest is lack of security staff. We also suffer from the lack of having certified teachers in all core areas, so\u00a0teachers\u00a0are required to\u00a0teach outside of their discipline.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Academic grouping is also a challenge when students are grouped based on safety and not academic ability or grade level, requiring teachers to teach multiple levels at once. Teachers have nicknamed this the\u00a0\u201cone\u00a0-room schoolhouse\u201d\u00a0model,\u00a0Courrege said.\u00a0Regardless of the difficulties, teachers\u00a0at OCFS facilities\u00a0are\u00a0vital to the success of these youth.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMany of our students do not have the proper adult\u00a0supports or supports\u00a0from their local community,\u201d Courrege said. \u201cThey see themselves in our facility as the last stop of a long juvenile justice process. It is important that we help these students learn to read and build critical thinking skills and make the right choices, so they have a\u00a0healthy,\u00a0productive\u00a0and safe life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI always teach\u00a0my students any\u00a0goal\u00a0is met by\u00a0steps,\u201d he said. \u201cThe steps for our students to have a better life\u00a0are passing five Regents\u00a0exames\u00a0and\u00a0getting a high school diploma.\u00a0If they pass their Regents, they are taking steps to save their future lives.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The best part of the job?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cStudents and teachers create a strong rapport,\u201d said Courrege, \u201callowing students to build trust with a professional to help them address their academic deficiencies while learning to\u00a0maintain\u00a0healthy relationships that will lead to long term success outside the facility.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tim Maroney, Brentwood Residential Center, Dix Hills<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Having the opportunity to engage youth and make a difference in their lives motivates Tim Maroney every day as he walks into the Brentwood Residential Center in Dix Hills. Maroney has been a PEF member for three years and works with\u00a0young\u00a0people\u00a0ages\u00a012 to 18 who often come from highly traumatic backgrounds and have significant gaps in their education.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cApproximately 40% of the population (at Brentwood) have special education services,\u201d he said. \u201cI went into teaching to support students in reaching their potential and becoming contributing members of society. I\u00a0am able to\u00a0provide meaningful instruction and life lessons they can use throughout their lives.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Education in OCFS facilities means the students\u00a0generally come\u00a0from higher levels of trauma and emotional\u00a0dysregulation,\u00a0which\u00a0impacts\u00a0their behavior and ability to function in an academic setting, Maroney said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With high turnover at OCFS facilities,\u00a0largely due to\u00a0what teachers say\u00a0are salaries\u00a0far below public-school teachers,\u00a0educators\u00a0face an uphill battle to provide quality teaching.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYouth from ages 12 to 18 are all grouped into one classroom setting which creates challenges in lesson plan prep and implementation,\u201d Maroney said. \u201cWe have limited access to\u00a0basic necessities, such as technology, paper, toner, and other resources. Our staff share\u00a0very small\u00a0areas, sometimes four\u00a0teachers\u00a0work\u00a0in one small room. We also have significant behavioral issues which impact learning and overall safety.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the challenges, Maroney\u00a0say\u00a0teaching\u00a0these kids\u00a0is rewarding.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEveryone makes mistakes and deserves a second chance,\u201d he said. \u201cMany have given up on these\u00a0kids,\u00a0and they deserve better than what we are providing. Teachers, especially in state facilities, are underappreciated. We are here to make a difference in the lives\u00a0of\u00a0some\u00a0of the most vulnerable kids in New York\u00a0State.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe need more program options, music, vocation, addiction services, community support,\u201d Maroney said. \u201cTeachers are the front-line responders here and need to be supported appropriately.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Donald\u00a0O\u2019Shea, Highland Residential Center, Highland<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the students who come through Highland Residential Center are mostly \u201ctrauma informed,\u201d they are\u00a0<\/span>students first<\/span><\/i>\u00a0to teachers like Donald\u00a0O\u2019Shea, a seven-year PEF member, council leader at Highland Residential, and first time PEF Convention delegate.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI came into teaching because I was inspired by the dedication of adults\u00a0who\u00a0put themselves in a place to work with youth,\u201d O\u2019Shea said. \u201cGiven the right environment, teachers have an amazing altruistic capacity to witness, engage and motivate youth. I can envision no better place to have an impact than with our youth.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At Highland Residential, O\u2019Shea is the sole\u00a0Social\u00a0Studies teacher for students ranging from middle school grade levels to Global History (9<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0and 10th grades), U.S. History (11<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0grade) and Participation in Government and Economics (12<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0grade).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are\u00a0numerous\u00a0challenges OCFS teachers face, and not all of them stem from the student population.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe encounter staffing shortages due to a limited number of teachers\u00a0as well as unit staff,\u201d O\u2019Shea said. \u201cWe have faced challenges filling these roles because of the lower salaries in comparison to public school educators. We also lack advancement incentives, such as positions\u00a0as\u00a0department head or compensation for continuing education.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are always asked to do more with less,\u201d he said. \u201cUnlike other titles, we do not receive hazard pay, even though we are considered essential, and we do not enjoy the same benefits as other employees like overtime opportunities, incentives, meals.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While a public-school educator might\u00a0take having\u00a0a phone for granted, OCFS teachers are not\u00a0permitted\u00a0to have cell phones. Transportation to the units or the ability to move students is challenging.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are required to customize students\u2019 learning based on their grade levels within classes of 14 or 15, while also catering to the needs of special education students,\u201d O\u2019Shea said. \u201cJust carrying materials can be burdensome, and depending on the conditions in the units, such as haircuts,\u00a0counseling\u00a0or codes, we must stay flexible. We are limited in our access to many of the resources that public school teachers can use.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Providing students with engagement and learning opportunities is crucial to their success.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs a social studies teacher looking to the future of a civic-minded society, providing our students with the opportunity to continue to engage and learn cannot be understated,\u201d O\u2019Shea said. \u201cSometimes\u00a0just\u00a0stating, \u2018Good morning\u2019 or\u00a0asking,\u00a0\u2018How are you?\u2019\u00a0has\u00a0that positive effect that builds relationships enough for trust,\u00a0safety\u00a0and learning to thrive.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf it were up to me, I would flood this place with teachers, youth counselors, guidance counselors and social workers and provide one-on-one tutoring,\u201d he said. \u201cForgive me for stating it, but we have a captive audience.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Karen\u00a0Surgeary, Brentwood Residential Center, Dix Hills<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nine-year PEF member and Brentwood Residential Social Studies\/ELA teacher Karen\u00a0Surgeary,\u00a0said her students are girls\u00a0with\u00a0severe trauma that\u00a0impacts\u00a0their learning abilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOCFS students have large gaps in their\u00a0learning,\u00a0and their academics have been negatively impacted by mental health challenges and unstable family settings,\u201d\u00a0Surgeary\u00a0said. \u201cSome are victims of rape or sex trafficking, many have witnessed domestic abuse, and drug and alcohol abuse in the home.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Centers like Brentwood Residential Center\u00a0afford\u00a0an environment that recognizes those needs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur students are surrounded by Youth Support Staff every day while they are in school for their own safety,\u201d she said. \u201cThey must follow a specific program that includes wearing a uniform, following directives, completing schoolwork, and\u00a0participating\u00a0in a reward system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMany of our students are hesitant to learn new subjects because of low self-esteem,\u201d\u00a0Surgeary\u00a0said. \u201cThey\u00a0need positive\u00a0reinforcement daily. As teachers, we are tasked with motivating our students, reading their emotions, and giving individualized attention throughout class periods.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Short on staff,\u00a0this can\u00a0be challenging, especially when teachers are also sometimes faced with blatant disrespect, foul language, and poor behavioral patterns.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs OCFS teachers, we are tasked with trying to maintain a cohesive learning environment while also maintaining a sense of safety,\u201d\u00a0Surgeary\u00a0said. \u201cIf students begin yelling or fighting, we support their staff by calling codes and escorting other students back to their rooms.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite these challenges,\u00a0Surgeary\u00a0said, making even the smallest difference in a student\u2019s life and\u00a0showing them\u00a0they can learn and succeed makes it worthwhile.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur students come to us with a myriad of problems,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen we can help them academically, they see the results in their grades and Regents scores. When our students see academic improvement, they feel more confident in themselves and their abilities.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If the state wants to bring more teachers into OCFS facilities to best serve the population, they must better compensate\u00a0them,\u00a0Surgeary\u00a0said.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are highly educated professionals who work extremely hard,\u201d she said. \u201cWe educate teenage girls whose lives have been completely disrupted. We have chosen to take on a task most teachers will not do. We teach students that others\u00a0deem\u00a0unteachable. Our role as educators, role models, and tutors is rewarding, but extremely challenging.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" November , 2025 — Teaching can be a challenge in any setting, but for PEF teachers in Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) youth secure centers, the student demographic…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":8078,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"division":[],"allowed_regions":[],"allowed_divisions":[],"class_list":["post-8059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","issue-volume-43-no-10"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n