Higher Ed. Partnership – Minutes
Attendance: Adrienne Nelson, Susan Zoller, Shirley Potter, William Lay, Jennifer McCleery, Sheila Fox, Stephanie Salzman, David Carroll, Dale Kinsley, Lisa Conlon
• Welcome and General Comments:
Adrienne welcomed the members and introduced Gail Brennan who would take accurate notation of questions and comments for our minutes.
Partnership Agreement Progress – Dale and Stephanie
Update : Dale reiterated the goals of the partnership. A draft of the Vision Statement was shared with University President, Karen Morse. It has been approved by Western Washington University's Attorney and should be ready to sign about Oct. 23 rd . We need to think about media exposure and a press release in Dec. Also, more detailed financial agreements need to be drawn up. Susan and Dale will develop a report that will go to the Bellingham School District School Board on Nov. 20 th . Representatives from our group will attend the meeting (Stephanie Salzman, Adrienne Nelson, Shirley Potter, and Sheila Fox) In addition, information about the Professional Certification Program will also be included in the report to the School Board.
Q/A:
What will the Coordinating Board look and sound like in action?
Who should call the meetings and should we formalize “sections” and areas of expertise? It was decided that the Board would become more functional regarding types of partnering and making duties more official at the early December meeting after Board approval. Dale expressed his hope that this current group will be the Coordinating Board and that Adrienne would continue in the role of facilitator.
Do we have “standing committees” that should become official?
Some natural subcommittees that seem to be forming could become identified and formalized at the December meeting.
In addressing the question of Board membership as outlined in the agreement, Dale noted the need to identify more teachers.
Stephanie expressed a need to catalogue the structure of the board and a way to understand the direction and priorities involved. She noted that each person is representing a certain factor but there are still some gaps to fill. Shirley suggested a visual map laying out Who's where and Why.
Sheila liked the idea of a map and volunteered to look for an appropriate model. David brought up the need to make the Mentor Academy more formal.
Are looking to increase membership? Dale reiterated that we are still filling in gaps that were in the original format so membership would increase as it becomes more complete. Bill Lay noted that the term of service for board members had not been determined. Stephanie thought it might change according to what the agenda or the work of the Board is for a certain year. Shirley commented on how appropriate it is that secondary (higher ed) is going to be included in this process, noting that the coordination will be beneficial to all involved.
Next Steps:
• Dale and Susan will prepare the report for the November School Board meeting.
• Sheila and Stephanie will prepare the financial agreements
• Stephanie and Dale will talk with respective public relationships personnel about a press release about the partnership for December.
• Shirley will work with Adrienne on selection of teacher representatives to the Coordinating Board and Dale will finalize administrative representatives.
Opportunities for Joint Learning – Report from New Teacher Center – Adrienne
Update:
Academy Description : Adrienne presented the format and sessions that the New Teacher Center offers.
Budget : The key is ”budget capacity” which is yet to be determined. The budget presented was the ‘Cadillac' version, but Adrienne noted the New Teacher Center is willing to tailor the program to our needs. Adrienne presented the possibility of two sessions in winter and spring '04, one in fall '04 and the last session in winter '05. This would spread the expenses out over two fiscal years. The fees charged by the Center are the major expense, with the cost of subs for BSD being another big expense. It is still unclear how WCE will and can participate regarding sharing the cost. Food is always a major issue as well as the cost of a planning team.
Participants : There is a need to decide on dates so travel plans can be made for the facilitators. Jan. 14-16, 2004 was presented as a possibility. David brought up the issue of how to get the right people involved? Stephanie reminded the committee that it was agreed that no money for stipends would be available. All have agreed it's important that participation is voluntary but need to commit to the full training.
Start up : Adrienne will talk with Barbara (from the New Teacher Center) regarding 2-day sessions for each of the 4 modules. She will develop a new budget proposal. She will e-mail her results to all board members before the next meeting.
Q/A :
Dale wondered if the number of days and/or consultants could be adjusted? Adrienne noted again that there is some wiggle room. In drawing from past experience, she mentioned that some teachers like to keep their time out of the classroom to a minimum. She feels that session #2 and #3, where the actual cooperative work begins, will be the most important, giving teachers the opportunity to 'walk the talk'. 9 days (vs.10) may be enough.
Could the 4 th session could be eliminated or done by individual teachers on their own.
It was noted that the expense of the academy should be weighed vs. the savings realized: teachers who are well trained and supported tend to stay at their jobs longer, providing continuity for students and the district.
Problem Solving : Stephanie, Dale and Bill all voiced concern that 3 days was a hardship for teachers and students as well. Bill noted that by day 3, participants might be too exhausted to absorb much new information. Lisa countered that these trainers have such valuable information regarding data and how to utilize it that there is a concern about watering it down too much. David was impressed with the quality as well, but still recommends a 2-day session. Stephanie and others agreed to 2 days with a possible introductory session the night before. It was reiterated that part of the mentor sessions include being in the classroom and using assessment tools. If this academy helps build consistent understandings about powerful teacher and learning, then it is worth it. It was noted that WCE has a harder time getting subs.
Solutions: After much discussion, the consensus favored 2-day sessions with a possible introductory speaker and social event the night before. Speaker suggestions were Gary Bloom or Ellen Moir.
Next Steps:
• Adrienne recommended the formation of a planning group. Bill Lay, Shirley Potter and Jennifer McCleery volunteered. They will begin thinking about locations. (Planning for approximately 60 participants.)
• Shirley will look into possible budget support through BEA as well as speakers for WCE in order to release instructors
• Adrienne will prepare a new budget and get it out to members
• Stephanie will contact Adrienne about the budget so that dates can be confirmed.
• Professional Certification Process Progress – Sheila, Adrienne, and David
Update:
Memorandum of Understanding : The outline for the partnership is ready to be put in circulation, and will be sent to all board members by e-mail.
Dale confirmed that it would be advisable to include this in the BSD Board Report if it is ready.
Professional Certification Process : Sheila provided a handout: A Description of the Professional Certification Program/Process provided by the Partnership, The characteristics of each module, A proposed budget, and a bibliography of literature that will serve as the foundation for the course work.
Budget:
Sheila noted the needs for future development should be included, i.e.: custodial costs for meeting sites, etc.
Dale noted that the cost seems very reasonable.
Start up Timeline :
November: Job Announcement and selection process of person to teach the Pre Assessment Seminar B
December: Instructor work will with Sheila, David, and Adrienne on alignment of course work, syllabus, etc.
November: Orientation for perspective participants (Cohort I)
January: Pre Assessment Seminar B will begin
May: Orientation to Professional Certification for Cohort II
September: Pre Assessment Seminar B for Cohort II
Q/A:
Does this board want to participate in the applicant review/selection process?
It was agreed that Sheila and Adrienne and a teacher would serve as the selection team. A job announcement would be sent out to all staff.
Can non full time teachers to qualify to participate?
Adrienne stated that if a teacher has a contract they are eligible.
David mentioned that last year's mentors would automatically be grandfathered into the program.
Where will the course be offered?
Stephanie mentioned the possible use of the University for weekend meetings.
How will the teams be selected to support the candidate?
The details still need to be worked out and communicated to teachers, mentors, coaches, and principals. Mentors can receive clock hours in supporting a teacher through the professional certification process.
Problem/Solutions:
A discussion ensued regarding whether any credits from this program should be able to be used towards a master's degree. Stephanie favored some credits available, but stressed the need to keep the Professional Certification benchmark separate from the Masters Degree benchmark. David pushed for a solid 8 credits going toward a masters.
Solution: Stephanie is looking into that, but there is a deadline of Oct. 24 for the new masters degree statistics and particulars. Hoping for a compromise to be reached with respect to the professional development community.
Next Steps :
• Sheila, David and Adrienne will continue to develop the details of the program and provide a presentation at the next meeting.
• A brochure will be developed to send to perspective participants by November.
• The job posting will be sent to BSD staff by end of October. Sheila, Adrienne, and a teacher (to be selected) will serve as the screening and hiring team.
• Placement of Student Teachers and Interns in BSD – Susan and Jennifer
Update:
Susan Zoller shared the revised Board Policy 5440 about placement of student teachers and interns.
Q/A :
How will the new model for elementary Ed. impact this policy revision? Stephanie stated that the new model for elementary Ed should start in one year. The next year they hope to change secondary Ed. The University definitely wants to change the nature of the relationship. David suggested clustering student teachers in certain buildings to get the critical mass needed to implement changes, but worried it might be hard to find enough placements in a single building. He wondered if it would help to only recruit schools that will commit for a 3 year time period.
Problems/Solutions:
Stephanie announced the need for a new definition of student teaching, incorporating the ideas of ‘partnering' and a ‘collaborative' working relationship. David agreed and presented the concept of a gradual shift of responsibility happening from teacher to student teacher as time progresses. The key is keeping it a healthy learning environment for kids. Susan admitted having problems in the past with students feeling abandoned by their real teacher if they hand over responsibilities too soon or too completely. Stephanie voiced the need to change the thinking of university supervisors who are used to the ‘go-it-alone' approach for teachers. Solutions: The language needs to be clear when defining the responsibilities of the parties involved.
Next Steps:
• Susan will be sharing the draft of the policy with all the building principals at the October level meetings.
• Other Agenda items or Events of Interest to the Partnership
Dale mentioned an NSF grant that may be available to fund science teachers in their preparation and implementation of environmental projects. Stephanie would like to involve Huxley college in this.
Dale and Stephanie thanked all the members of the group for their work to make this Board “really” happen.
7. Next Meeting Date/Time: The next meeting of this planning group will be November 10 th
at 2 PM in Rm. 212, Roeder Administrative Building. Cindy Backstrom, secretary in the office
of Professional Development, will provide an email announcement to the Board Members with
the date, place and time.