Winthrop University - School Partnership
WINTHROP UNIVERSITY–SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP NETWORK
What is the Winthrop University School Partnership Network?
In 2009, Richard W. Riley College of Education established a partnership with teachers and schools throughout nine districts in South Carolina with the purpose of improving student learning and preparing future educators. This collaboration provides multiple opportunities and benefits to all involved — classroom teachers, school administrators, future educators, and students.
What are the benefits of being a Professional Development or Partner School?
More Teachers in the Classroom! With a Winthrop educator-in-training in the classroom, students benefit from having more than one teacher. This means more attention to each individual learner, more opportunities for small groups, and more teaching strategies to meet different learning needs. With co-teaching, one teacher may be providing instructions while another is able to walk around the classroom ensuring understanding and answering questions.
Inspiration to Become a College Student!
Students now have exposure to college-level learners on a regular basis. Students can ask questions about college and be inspired to attend college themselves one day!
Exposure to New Resources!
Winthrop teacher candidates are learning new and innovative teaching methods while in their university classes. They learn the latest research on how best to enhance student learning and bring this with them to the classroom, to share with current teachers. In this way, the teachers are also continuously learning new ways to meet the needs of their students.
As a Partnership Network school, teachers also have access to Winthrop resources. The Richard W. Riley College of Education’s Instructional Technology Center provides some of the newest technology for use in the classroom. Teachers are invited to use spaces such as science labs and the Winthrop Lake outdoor learning environment.
Incorporating New Teachers into Your School!
Many partner schools decide to use this opportunity to “grow their own.” In other words, after having a Winthrop teacher candidate participate in a year-long internship at the school, that candidate has learned the inner-workings of the school from the start of the year to the end of the year and the school administration has had the opportunity to watch that teacher in action for an entire year. What a great way to prepare for the first years of teaching!
University Support for Teacher Growth!
Upon joining the Winthrop University School Partnership Network, teachers at our partner schools have access to multiple opportunities to grow in their profession. The university provides workshops on new teaching methods and strategies, trainings in the newest technology, and an annual best practice conference for teachers to share ideas on how to improve student learning with each other.
For schools who choose to fully commit to the partnership as Professional Development Schools, they have the opportunity to work with a Winthrop Faculty-in-Residence. This is an expert from the university who maintains a regular presence in the school to support teacher development and student learning.
You may download the Flyer here!