University and Teague Park School signed Professional agreement

16 years ago

    Officials with the University of Maine Presque Isle and the Caribou School Department signed an agreement last week that will allow Education students to participate in extensive internships at the Teague Park Elementary School while providing professional development opportunities for veteran teachers there.

ImageAroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
    The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Caribou School Department recently signed into effect a professional Development School agreement. The foundation of this agreement allows university education students to participate in two-semester-long teaching internships at the Teague Park Elementary School while providing professional development opportunities for veteran teachers there. Taking part in the formal signing of the partnership are from left: Teague Park Elementary School Principle, Lois Brewer; Caribou Superintendent of Schools, Frank McElwain; University of Maine at Presque Isle President Don Zillman and Dr. Reginald Nnazor, chairman of the college of education at UMPI.

   UMPI President Don Zillman and Frank McElwain, superintendent of the Caribou School Department, signed the memorandum of understanding during a press conference  held Thursday;, August 28.
    The agreement, “Building the Future: 2008-2009,” establishes a professional development school partnership between the two educational entitles and sets forth four main goals: to increase PK-12 student achievement, improve teacher preparation, enhance professional development opportunities for UMPI and Caribou School Department faculty and staff and support and encourage research and inquiry into “best practice” for all educators.
    Under the partnership selected students in UMPI’s education program will be able to take part in a two-semester teaching internship. The first semester experience would include the first five days of school and one day a week for the rest of the semester, all in the same classroom, while the second semester would be a full immersion into that same classroom for 15 weeks.
    Another import part of the partnership includes on-site courses at Teague Park Elementary School taught by UYMPI full-time and adjunct faculty that would be open to UMPI’s teacher certification students and to veteran staff seeking recertification or meeting other needs.
    “We are extremely excited about the hands-on, real-world opportunities this is going to afford our teacher certification students as well as the continuing education aspect it will provide for professional teachers in the area,” President Don Zillman said. “This partnership allows us to accomplish two goals that are at the heart of what we strive to do as a University — offer the best possible educational experiences for our students and serve the needs of our community.”
    Work on the agreement has been underway since the spring, when members of the University’s College of Education contacted local schools seeking interest in forming educational partnerships. Teague Park Elementary School responded immediately. Faculty from both schools met and a strong interest in forming a Professional Development School was the end result.
    “The Caribou School Department looks forward to our staff having the opportunity to  connect theory with application,” Superintendent Frank McElwain said, “Some of the most effective professional development occurs when teachers reflect on their craft and share best practices with others. The Professional Development School model supports the learning of both teacher and intern.”
    The Professional Development School agreement will begin immediately, placing teacher certification students, Megan Fowler, Frannie Cote and Julie Savage from UMPI in Teague Park classrooms. Principal Lois Brewer will serve as the site coordinator at Teague Park on this partnership; Dr.Barbara Chalou, professor of education, will serve as the site coordinator at UMPI.