The Benedum Collaborative at West Virginia University has been selected as a 2012 recipient of the National Association for Professional Development Schools Award for Exemplary Professional Development School Achievement.

The award recognizes professional development schools for their ongoing contributions to the mission and vision of NAPDS in creating and sustaining genuine collaborative partnerships between preschool to high schools and higher education, while shaping educational leadership and practice. WVU’s College of Human Resources & Education works with 30 schools in the Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston and Taylor counties which comprise the Benedum Collaborative.

“The program possesses an established network of 30 professional development schools that work together to design and offer the Five-Year Teacher Education Program, professional development opportunities for teachers, and strong research,” said Sarah Steel, program coordinator of the Benedum Collaborative Five-Year Teacher Education.

The program supports the sustainability of the Benedum Collaborative Professional Development School Network, sustains innovation in teacher education at WVU and collaborates to improve student learning by promoting simultaneous renewal for University faculty, public school faculty, and administrators. It also strengthens practitioner research within teacher education and public schools, and promotes teacher leadership and professional development.

The award recognizes more than 20 years of innovation in the simultaneous renewal of teacher education and public schools in West Virginia. The program has provided a context for WVU faculty to make theory-to-practice connections.

“These connections are critical when schools and teacher education programs are committed to continuous improvement,” Steel said. “Ultimately, the students in West Virginia public schools are the beneficiaries of this achievement.”

For more information on the program, visit http://benedumcollaborative.wvu.edu/.

-WVU-

03/13/12

Check http://wvutoday.wvu.edu daily for the latest news from the University.
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.

CONTACT: Christie Zachary, Human Resources and Education
304-293-5703, christie.zachary@mail.wvu.edu