Winter 2012 Partnership Magazine - College of Education Home ...

2011-12 Teachers On
Special Assignment
The Teacher-On-Special-Assignment (TOSA) and corresponding Graduate Teaching Fellows positions actively
enforce the principles of the Professional Development School. Their steady contributions over the years have led
to the largest cohort yet. Eighteen TOSA’s now impact student and teacher achievement in the 2011-12 school
year, welcoming new partners from Bloomington and Owatonna. On the other hand, 19 Fellows occupy PDS
school buildings across all grade-levels.
In an effort to celebrate the best practices and ideals of teaching and lifelong learning, I asked the TOSA’s
and Fellow’s to share their experiences with all of us. The following articles are an expression of the best of us in
our continual efforts to improve education for everyone. CSUP thanks all who share their personal experiences for
that reason. The guiding questions accompany each group’s responses.
In the next issue of Partnership, we will introduce the remaining TOSA’s and Graduate Teaching Fellows.
Le Sueur-Henderson
April Rosendale
My name is April Rosendale, and I am
originally from Wampum, PA. I’m experiencing
my 17th year in education, and my fourth year
as a Teacher-on-Special-Assignment. So many
things go through my mind as I think about the
things I have experienced in these years…where
I have been and what I have learned! From
standing in front of a room full of students who
look to me for wisdom (yikes!!) to presenting professional
development sessions to teachers in MN and in the Middle
East, the experiences have been incredible.
Having dedicated most of my classroom teaching
time to the kindergarten kingdom, I can attest that there is
nothing that compares to the unbridled wonder of a five
year old who asks, “What are we going to learn about
today?” It’s a moment that I want to capture, and nurture
and revisit each year until it can be returned to him / her
Jayne Gehrke
I started teaching back in the 70’s. It was
a small school, and the staff was a great group
of people who worked very well together. New
teachers that year made up about 1/4 of the
staff. I remember an English teacher took me
aside and shared how important it was that
we all work together. Not just the teachers.
Part I
? ?
Please share any relevant advice and/or wisdom you have acquired
over the years that would be helpful to teachers new to the profession.
in a college degree someday…evidence of
Mastering the Art of Curiosity! Learning is lifelong,
and I’ve been able to see that progression all
around me, in my students, in my colleagues, and
in the newest cohort of teachers just entering the
profession.
I often think back to my early experiences in
education, and the teachers I had. I immediately
recall those who noticed me and those who
inspired me. What a gift to be noticed, amidst
the many tasks, schedules, and connections that fill a
teacher’s school day. And what an impactful thing to
be inspired, in a setting that can be immersed in rules,
routines, and regiments. I hope that I can be one who will
strive to notice, and one who might often inspire…at least
on my best days!
I would like to thank all (past and present) who are
inspiring my path in education. The experience is beyond
amazing.
She emphasized that you need the cooks,
janitors, secretaries, and bus drivers, as well
as the administrators, on your team as well.
With a strength of Harmony, I took that to heart
and have always cultivated a good working
relationship with everyone. The kids are the
reason we are in teaching, but we all need
to work together to achieve success. No one
person is more important than another. I believe
22 http://ed.mnsu.edu/csup/