By Jennifer Mrozowski
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati Public Schools teachers have a new resource - a one-stop center where they can research academic standards, access curriculum materials and get professional help to aid teaching.

The Center for Teaching Excellence is located at Mayerson Academy, a professional development and meeting facility located in Corryville in the same building as Cincinnati Public Schools' administrative offices.

"This is really about helping teachers in their profession and their growth in any content area they want," said Jane A. Kendrick, president of the Mayerson Academy.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the center Tuesday amidst the shelves of resources teachers will be able to access. Instructional materials include online resources, educational software, books, videos, DVDs, CDs and education journals.

Instructional support services to be offered include workshops for administrators, teachers and instructor assistants and discussion focus groups on content areas, such as social studies, or for a certain grade level.

"This is an incredible resource," said Sue Taylor, president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers union. "It's a place where teachers can access the latest standards, activities and materials related to the standards and receive professional development.

"To teach our kids, we need to have a clear map of how to get them where we want them to be. There will be many teachers here."

In July, the district entered into a 10-year contract and lease agreement with the Mayerson Academy for professional development, support and teacher training. The district will pay around $2.2 million the first year for those services.

The Center for Teaching Excellence is one facet of that.

Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and Friday; and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Districts outside of Cincinnati can use the center's materials for free, but must pay for staff support.

E-mail jmrozowski@enquirer.com