"Ideas, Insights, and Challenges" 2003-2004 Conference
Partnership Teachers come together each semester on the university campus to discuss ideas and issues that impact teacher preparation and delivery in the classroom. A conference is held each semester for more than 100 partnership teachers and university supervisors who are working with interns. The conference provides a rare opportunity for teachers to have extensive dialogue with colleagues across counties. Professional growth opportunities embedded in the internship make important connections to learning and teaching for preservice and inservice teachers.
Guided by legislative direction that schools of education be accountable for student learning taking place during teacher internships, the Watson School began to look more closely at ways of measuring student learning during the practicum semester. Thus an important focus at these conferences has been (1) ways in which interns might demonstrate that their teaching during the practicum semester results in appropriate learning by students and (2) the role of the partnership teacher in assessment of student learning.
PDS sponsored the Spring 2004 Curricular Studies Ideas, Insights, and Challenges Conference for Partnership Teachers on Tuesday, February 24, 200. Over 150 partnership teachers, university supervisors, and university faculty attended this opportunity for ongoing professional development through the WSE Professional Development System University-School Partnership.
During the morning sessions, participants heard presentations by Dr. Karen Wetherill and Dr. MaryAnn Davies on "What Do We Need to Know About Due Process" and engaged in constructive table dialogue on the topic, "What's Being Left Behind: Dealing With Special Needs Students in the Classroom" led by Dr. Carol Chase Thomas.
Partners from Pender County, Ms. Jessica Swencki, Ms. Melissa Williams, and Ms. Julie Askew, presented "Child-Centered Schools: Serving Every Child in Every Environment," focusing on Positive Behavioral Supports" and giving many strategies for success from the program, which is being piloted in Pender County and selected Brunswick County Schools.
After lunch, WSE faculty Dr. Brad Walker, Dr. Rich Huber, and Dr. MaryAnn Davies presented information on three international Partnership Initiatives that have been undertaken by the Watson School of Education and encouraged interested Partnership Teachers to become involved in the available exchange programs. Technology Liaison Jeff Ertzberger gave a lively presentation of "Top Ten Websites for Teachers," stressing the quality and the availability of user-friendly, free items from each.
At the end of the conference, PDS Director Diane Calhoun requested that partnership teachers submit a survey indicating the degree of impact our partnership is having on four critical aspects identified by Partnership Teachers at last spring's conference as focus areas for the partnership:
- Student Learning
- Professional Development
- Preperation for Prospective Educators
- Inquiry and Assessment based on "Best Practices"
Teachers who attended the two-hour extended partnership teacher training in January and this conference will receive a certificate for 10 hours of professional development.
Forty-five secondary teachers attended the 2004 IIC Secondary Conference, Looking In and Looking Out: Classroom Practice and the Challenges to High Schools as We Know Them, on March 23, 2004.
Morning sessions focused on updates on TaskStream, a web-based organizational and tool used by interns, the new education building, and the changes in the Med Secondary degree.
Participants then moved to small groups based on the discipline they teach for presentations, discussions on discipline-related issues, and the current directions in their courses of study.
During the buffet lunch, Ms. Phyllis Melton, Algebra II teacher at Ashley High School and veteran PDS partnership teacher, received the Distinguished Secondary Partnership Award for her dedication and commitment to the WSE teacher intern program.
Keynote speaker Ms. Sofi Frankowski spoke about the New Schools Project (NSP), established with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and led a lively question and answer session on the possibilities and challenges that might arise through the work of the NSP.
Her presentation was followed by table discussions on High School Reform that generated a wide range of opinions on current issues and challenges. These ideas were shared with the whole group in brief reports with visuals at the conclusion of the day.
