Article Accepted for Publication in "PDS Partners," the newsletter of the National Association for Professional Development Schools
NAPDS has accepted for publication an article written by Dr. Karen Wetherill, Associate Dean for Outreach Alliances and Ms. Diane Calhoun, Director of the Professional Development System, The article, "How to Evaluate the Success of a Professional Development System for Improving P-12 Student Learning and Higher Order Instructional Dispositions," is an outgrowth of the Partnership's body of work that was awarded the prestigious Christa McAuliff award for outstanding university-school partnerships in 2006 and a presentation given by the two at the National PDS Conference held in Las Vegas March 29-April 1, 2008. The Learning-centered Cognitive Coaching Model, which the partnership uses to mentor teacher interns, is at the heart of the program. All partnership teachers, site coordinators, and principals receive training in this model before hosting teacher interns.
"At UNCW's PDS partnership, a learning-centered model provides environments for reflection and deep learning among candidates, faculty, and school partners. Structures for self-assessment of teaching identify/assess desired results, determine student learning evidence, and engage partners in collective deliberation, transforming instructional practices." ~Excerpt from NPDS article
"A learning-centered model is a way to help teacher candidates reach their potential in teaching and also help me reach mine. Not only does it allow for the one who is being mentored to grow, but it allows for the one who is doing the mentoring to grow as well." ~Quotation from a partnership teacher
