COLLABORATION WITH SERVICE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The School of Education initiates collaboration with schools by securing an agreement with participating districts that outlines expected roles and responsibilities of all participants in placement of field experiences. The Director of Teacher Education Student Services conducts an annual review of current and prospective placement sites and seeks the renewal of existing agreements or initiates new agreements as needed. This agreement provides the basis for furthering unique collaborations with individual districts.

One example of the development of unique collaborations is the partnership with Fort Smith Public Schools. In 1998, with the change of personnel responsible for placement of field experiences in the Fort Smith School District, a collaborative effort was made to improve the internship experience for candidates. Key players in this effort include Dr. Kathleen Cates, Director of Professional Development, Fort Smith Public Schools, Dr. Brenda Sellers, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Support Services, Fort Smith Public Schools and Dr. Gwen Morgan, Director of Teacher Education Student Services, Arkansas Tech University. An introductory experience was designed to increase awareness of, understanding of, and motivation for the tasks ahead during the internship semester, namely the Intern Seminar. It was hoped that this seminar would, additionally, enhance recruitment of new teachers to the Fort Smith School District. The meeting has evolved into a workshop which lasts about 2 hours depending upon questions and discussions. The Intern Seminar is a series of presentations from administrators of the Fort Smith School District with opportunity for questions. The materials prepared by Dr. Kathleen Cates’ office and distributed to all interns include general information about the Fort Smith School District as well as specific information important to the particular level of placement. Interns are warmly welcomed, familiarized with the district’s programs and student population, and walked through the completion of the district’s application for employment as classroom teacher. Dr. Benny Gooden, Superintendent of Schools, welcomes the candidates and speaks motivationally of the commitment to the teaching profession. Dr. Johnny Owen, Deputy Superintendent, presents the district overview. Dr. Tony Scherrey, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services, Dr. Mary Ann Johns, Director of Elementary Education, and Dr. Barry Owen, Director of Secondary Education, describe instruction in the Fort Smith Public Schools. Dr. Brenda Sellers provides information for applying for a teaching position in the Fort Smith School District and general advice for interviewing for a teaching position. Dr. Kathleen Cates discusses expectations of the intern, previews the mentor/intern timeline for the semester and presents a protocol for problem solving Ample opportunity is provided for questions and answers.

A second example of unique collaborations is the development of the Cohort for supervision of interns in undergraduate initial licensure programs. The Cohort is made up of classroom teachers from area public schools. These teachers are PATHWISE trained mentors who serve as adjunct professors for Arkansas Tech University mentoring interns in their classrooms. These professionals are responsible for PATHWISE-aligned evaluations of candidates’ performance in the classroom and for giving the grade in internship. They also support the development of the electronic exit portfolio. The Cohort meets annually the Thurs and Fri of the first full week in Aug with the Director Teacher Education Student Services. The agenda includes completion of necessary forms for Human Resources and Academic Affairs, preparation for mentoring, overviews and updates in licensure and the teacher education preparation programs, preparation of materials for interns and an initial meeting with interns. Each Cohort site warmly welcomes the interns placed in their school. Mentors and interns are introduced. Important school information is shared and expectations for performance are clarified. In the fall, interns are invited to begin work with mentors to prepare the classroom environment for the first day of school and to attend in-service with their mentor. In the spring semester mentors meet their interns at the Cohort site for introductions to staff and classroom as soon as placements are confirmed in the fall semester. Expectations are clarified and interns are invited to spend as much time with their mentor as their schedule will allow. Interns are encouraged to begin with the students’ first day back following Christmas vacation.