Welcome!
To the
Watson School of Education
Professional Development System Website
One of the strongest and most comprehensive examples of university–school partnerships in the nation is the exemplary Watson School of Education Professional Development System Partnership. This 15-year collaborative has established collegial working relationships with ten school districts and one charter school. The university recognized early that true systemic reform of teacher preparation would require honest and aggressive partnerships among schools of education, public schools and the general public.
The Watson School of Education’s Professional Development System is a comprehensive university-public school partnership that aligns efforts and resources for the improvement of education for students in southeastern North Carolina. Over one hundred schools and more than 1300 partnership teachers and administrators partner with university faculty at the Watson School to share the responsibility for building the teaching profession.
PDS welcomes you to learn more about how we are engaged in meaningful collaboration with public schools and our school of education in ways that ultimately will make a positive difference for the students we serve. Browse through these pages and see how we are truly building excellence in education through our partnership.

