State funding supports student teacher residency

A critical step in preparing future educators is the student teaching requirement during their final year of a teacher education program. College students spend at least one semester in a professional teacher's classroom, gaining experience in applying theory, methods and skills.

Carroll University has taken this valuable experience one step further by developing a Teacher Education Residency Model, which places candidates seeking dual certification in elementary education and special education in partner schools for a full academic year. Seven Carroll students are currently participating in the pilot program at Hartland-Lakeside School District.

In recognition of this innovative effort, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has presented Carroll University a three-year, $30,000 State Personnel Development Grant; one of only nine awarded. Funding supports a professional learning community to study the effectiveness of the residency model in meeting the learning needs of all children, and supports expansion of the model into other school districts. If Carroll's project performance meets achievement measures, there is potential for an additional one to two years of funding.

The Teacher Education Residency Model includes one semester of daily clinical experiences and coursework both on-site in the school district and on Carroll's campus. The following student teaching semester builds on students' foundational knowledge of teaching, learners and the school community as they assume instructional and leadership roles in regular and special education placements.

The professional learning community will include teachers and administrators from the Hartland-Lakeside School District, School District of Waukesha, Carroll University education faculty, and student teacher residents from the pilot program.

For more information, contact Kathrine Kramer, assistant professor of education, at 262-650-4917 or kkramer@xiaoneizhi.com.