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PDS NEWS New Partners Zierdt Elected to Represent Mankato PDS Dr. Ginger Zierdt, Director of the Center-for-School-University Partnerships, earned a spot on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) last fall and begins her appointment this spring. The NAPDS vision includes the advancement of research-based PDS models and policies. The Association produces a scholarly journal, magazine, and website devoted to sharing successful PDS practices. Every year a conference brings together national and international PDS teachers and faculty to share their partnership strengths. Inclusion in the direction of the NAPDS elevates the Mankato PDS and institutions involved, giving them a voice in teacher education and promoting policy. Zierdt brings experience in the advancement of a rural partnership and the development of clinical best practices within the network. The previous issue of Partnership featured the perspectives of Mankato PDS presenters at the 2011 national conference. Their topics ranged from co-teaching to financial sustainability of a broad partnership. More TOSA’s and faculty will be presenting at the 2012 conference in Las Vegas. To learn more about the NAPDS and how the Mankato PDS is involved, talk to your PDS colleagues- TOSA’s, principals, superintendents, teachers, University faculty, or supervisors. Or you can visit the College of Education’s Infobrief archives for PDS-related news: http://ed.mnsu.edu/infobrief/ The 2011-12 school year welcomed 7 new members to the Professional Development School (PDS) network. Four additional Teachers-On-Special- Assignment join the team from St. Peter, Mankato, Bloomington, and Owatonna school districts. Two new superintendents joined the PDS Governance Council representing districts in Faribault and Le Sueur-Henderson. The final member assumed a vacant position in the College of Education’s Office of Field & International Experience. The PDS welcomes new insights and expertise into job positions each year, but many new partners add their voices each week in PDS sites providing unnoticed support and wisdom. Here are some of the new members’ stories, in my words and their own. Rich Hanson, Le Sueur - Henderson Superintendent of Schools As a recent transplant to South Central Minnesota, I am extremely impressed with the high level of collaboration and cooperation that is an entrenched piece of our culture here. Well before I began my role as Superintendent of Le Sueur – Henderson in July [2011], I came to know and appreciate the willingness of everyone to come together and develop strategies to ensure we are all more successful. The belief of “we can achieve more together” is very evident, not only in our PDS partnership with Minnesota State University, Mankato, but our surrounding school districts as well. This is allowing us to provide even greater opportunities for all of our children. Most recently I came to LHS from Arcadia, Wisconsin, where I served as the Elementary/Middle School Principal for the past five years. I am originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin, where I met my wife, Ann, and we began our family of five children. Even though they are all grown, our family is very important to us. I did both undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. The teaching portion of my career in education includes teaching physical education and English Language Learners in La Crosse. My Educational Leadership preparation took place at Winona State University. My fifteen year administrative career has included principalships in Black River Falls and Appleton, Wisconsin, prior to my position in Arcadia. The high level of support and commitment to our school district along with the collaborative beliefs are just a few of the qualities that made Le Sueur – Henderson so attractive to me. Together we have already rolled up our sleeves and began moving toward the future. The well established PDS network and partnership is one that I look forward to closely working together with as well. 4 http://ed.mnsu.edu/csup/
Heather Verstraete, Bloomington TOSA Heather Verstraete represents the first official point of contact in the new PDS partnership with Bloomington Public Schools as a first-year TOSA. Heather joins the PDS after an extensive teaching career at the elementary level in Bloomington, including years of coaching volleyball and basketball in middle grades. In the new position, she looks forward to continuing her professional growth, finding ways to adapt instructional techniques at all levels, and gaining a clearer perspective of the education system to be more proactive and forward-looking in the field. In a few words, she says, “I believe in excellence.” Heather gathers inspiration in different leadership roles outside of education. As a founder/owner of a business called Pivotal Pathways, she leads clientele in one-on-one personal and professional development sessions. She notices great opportunities for transferring leadership principles between her business and her new educational position. In addition, she spends much of her free time enjoying the companionship of her two favorite horses, who live at a family farm and intuitively trust Heather’s leadership skills. Heather is another model PDS partner, bringing a range of skills and talents to her professional roles and wanting to make a positive impact on the education system as a new Teacher-On- Special-Assignment. Laura Linde, Mankato TOSA Laura Linde moves into the PDS network as former Mankato Elementary TOSA, Susan Levandowski, returned to the classroom. The new TOSA taught for seventeen years at Hoover Elementary in North Mankato and the last three years additionally as an adjunct professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Laura says that education has always been her passion. Outside of her extensive teaching practice, she engages with local school policy serving on St. Clair’s School Board, just recently vacating her member seat. In her adjunct role, she has collaborated in action research studies involving reading and literacy in the schools. In the same spirit of inclusion, she has invited several foreign exchange students into her home over the years from countries such as Brazil, Germany, South Korea, Spain, and Japan. Even in her free time, she has volunteered at a local hospice for the last several years. Through all her educational experience, Laura admits of Winter 2012 Partnership learning how to listen well, but sees the new TOSA position as an opportunity to become a better questioner. She has felt comfortable in her transition into the Mankato TOSA cohort, who as a large group display remarkable organization skills and support each other in all they do. Even though “leaving the kids was hard to do,” Laura spends her free time with family: her husband, three sons, and two grandchildren. Together, they enjoy fishing, travelling, even on occasion racing a car in a Powder Puff race. Drawing from all these sources for her personal and professional growth, Laura abides by a clear vision: “Engage in the big picture vision of the interdependence of partnerships while being effective and responsive in all that relates to education and student success.” Todd Sesker, Superintendent of Faribault Public Schools Professional Background Ed specialist degree in education administration Master’s degree in secondary education with emphasis on technology Major in mathematics and computer science Certification for secondary math teacher and coaching 14 years of teaching secondary mathematics, computer science, and coaching 3 years as an athletic director 12 years as a superintendent of schools Currently: Legislative Chair for MASA, advisory council board member for Southeast Service Coop, and Legislative committee member for SEE. What do I look forward to in the new position/district Building relationships with students, staff, and the community Learning more about the programs that Faribault collaborates with Minnesota State Mankato Working collaboratively with school groups and community to understand and address our student diversity and poverty issues. Continuing to look at ways to better serve our students both in the classroom and with electronic learning solutions My view and hopes as a new member of the PDS network Get a better handle on the programs that Faribault is collaborating with the PDS network and be able to offer intelligent input to the committee Learn new data driven teaching models that help us make kids successful in the classroom, particularly diverse and/or economically disadvantaged kids Build positive relationships within the PDS community 5
Page 1 and 2: artnership PCENTER FOR SCHOOL-UNIVE
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTS Winter 2012 Partn
Page 5: Note From the Editor Ben Pendarvis
Page 9 and 10: of the Leadership Institute, which
Page 11 and 12: How has AVID impacted your school,
Page 13 and 14: ng Deeper and Wider Pipeline #2 - P
Page 15 and 16: QUT students and exchange program f
Page 17 and 18: After the last full school year of
Page 19 and 20: Marti Sievek can speak to the posit
Page 21 and 22: 7th Annual Fall Play Therapy Confer
Page 23 and 24: Innovative Program Targets Coaching
Page 25 and 26: if a student can make one strong co
Page 27 and 28: Teaching Fellows ? ? Describe your
Page 29 and 30: Jenna Haala Graduate Program: Maste
Page 31 and 32: New Systems for Working Together Th

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