Training & Conferences

A Lifelong Approach to Professional Growth

Partners in the Watson School’s Professional Development System work collaboratively to define appropriate and effective preparation needs. Extensive dialogue with colleagues across the ten partnership counties affords opportunities to make important connections to learning and teaching. Because we believe that a strong learning community is built upon a model of life-long professional growth, we have made professional development for all partners an integral component of our PDS.

Teacher interns learn more about their collaborative role at the PDS intern orientation.

New Hanover County Partnership Teachers brainstorm ideas for teacher efficacy during the Orientation Preparation.

Dr. Eleni Pappamihiel discusses ESL concerns with Partnership County ESL Coordinators at the ESL Coordinators and UNCW Faculty Luncheon.

New Hanover County Partnership Teachers illustrate"Thinking Outside the Box" on educational issues.

PDS Orientation Preparation

A critical preparation initiative for interns, partnership teachers and administrators and WSE faculty is the PDS Orientation. All partners experience a common ten-hour preparation that orients them to the goals and objectives of PDS and an understanding of the learning-centered model of coaching. Each partner has well-defined roles and responsibilities that overlap in the aspects of collaboration, reflection, serving as intellectual resource, and commitment to professional growth. Learn more about Orientation Preparation >

Extended PDS Preparation

Elementary, middle school, and special education Partnership Teachers assigned a WSE teacher intern participate in a two-hour extended training session designed to update and assist them in mentoring their interns through the intern practicum semester. Site principals and site coordinators in schools with a cohort of interns also participate in the trainings. Learn more about Extended PDS Preparation >

"Ideas, Insights, and Challenges" Conference

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. Learn more about the IIC Conference >

New Hanover EYC Partnership Teacher Preparation

During the fall of 2002, the EYC program and PDS jointly began offering a two-part PDS Orientation specifically tailored for the needs of professionals who work with WSE students pursuing licensure in the area of Education of Young Children (birth-kindergarten). Learn more about the EYC Preparation >