Ackerley Partner School Network
A partnership between the UW College of Education and the Ginger &
Barry Ackerley Family Foundation offers new teachers at high needs
schools the added support they and their students need to succeed. The Ackerley Foundation grant will provide resources to the College and its partner schools in the form of mentors, and on-line support groups and training in adapting new knowledge about how children learn to classroom teaching techniques in an effort to bolster teacher retention and improve student learning.
"Most new teachers are placed in schools with the greatest needs and yet have access to the fewest resources," says College of Education Dean Pat Wasley. "Our project with the Ackerley Foundation will bring help in the form of learning communities, technology and ways to bring into the classroom new insights in how children learn in order technology to offset teacher isolation and the problems novice educators are sure to face in their first classroom."
"The Ackerley Foundation is excited by this program that is blazing new trails in how to create meaningful, systemic advances in educating our children," said Kim Ackerley Cleworth, president and executive director of The Ginger & Barry Ackerley Foundation. "We think it is a model that has national significance."
Through the Ackerley Partnership for Teacher Development (APTD), teachers in 20 high needs schools will also have access to experienced mentors, who will in turn be mentored by COE faculty. New teachers in high needs schools often have little access to experienced mentors or colleagues who can help them improve their teaching skills. This isolation leads to frustration, disenchantment and too often a job search. Almost half of teachers in urban schools leave the profession within their first five years.
Participating teachers will be trained in the use of Video Traces, a cutting edge technology developed at the UW, to facilitate conversations centered on examples of student work. Video Traces can also be used by teachers interested in observing their classroom interactions with students. Through discussion of the videos with colleagues, new teachers can evaluate and refine their approaches. Video Traces has been used across the UW campus to facilitate faculty feedback to students in courses such as dance and public speaking. It has also been used by coaches and student athletes.
Each partner school will have a site liaison responsible for coordinating the mentoring program at their school. Liaisons will also work with faculty members to facilitate Video Traces feedback groups and the online study groups.
The APTD program is the latest major collaboration between the College of Education, private supporters and public schools. "The Ackerley Foundation shares the College’s commitment to the educational success of every child," said Dean Wasley. "We are excited to work with the Ackerley family and deeply appreciate their support."
"Education begins with energized and effective teachers," Wasley added. "The APTD program will keep teachers motivated and connected with new ideas about learning, resulting in a better classroom experience for them and their students."
During the summer, participating teachers will take part in intensive workshops that focus on new understandings about brain development and student learning. Teachers will be challenged to consider how to use their expanded understanding to improve their curricula, lesson plans and teaching techniques.