Vol. 20, No. 2 - Spring 2004

Continuing Professional Studies

Looking for partners in educational innovation

by Suzanne Miric

This spring, about 25 school staff developers and college faculty gathered at the newly refurbished Coffman Union on the East Bank to eat lunch and exchange views on both old and new K–12 diversity issues.

Another day, at the Earle Brown Continuing Education and Conference Center on the St. Paul campus, Scott McLeod, assistant professor of educational policy and administration, engaged about 60 teachers and administrators in creative uses of school data at an Urban Leadership Academy workshop.

And on yet another occasion, at the president’s residence at Eastcliff, teachers from all over the metro area participated in a focus group on professional development.

What do all these events have in common? They are part of the vital network of relationships and bridges that link the college with the greater K–12 educational community. Helping people connect and grow professionally is what the college’s office of continuing professional studies (CPS) is all about. CPS provides collegewide leadership for the development and delivery of credit and non-credit continuing professional studies programs.

More than ever before, K–12 educators are providing the college with valuable insight and direction into what today’s diverse and busy educators need and want. Through focus groups and discussion groups taking place this year, CPS has been actively listening to educators’ needs and desires and encouraging the development of programs that meet those needs.

For example, CPS is involved with planning two school partnerships that provide timely, well-researched, and economical professional development options to Twin Cities educators. One, through the Anoka-Hennepin School District, will allow family and consumer science teachers to earn middle-school licensure in seven short months starting in fall 2004. Another, through District 287’s annual Summer Institute, will, for the first time, allow students to earn University of Minnesota credit for certain classes.

At the same time, CPS is updating and expanding successful programs such as the Urban Leadership Academy (ULA). ULA, a partnership program with four metro-area school districts, attracts administrators and teacher leaders from throughout the metro area for workshops that challenge and build the skills and knowledge of educators in a meaningful and sustainable way.

This summer’s ULA, June 29–30, will feature three presenters who are leaders in their field: International consultant and “positive deviance” practitioner Jerry Sternin; Karen Seashore, professor of educational policy and administration; and popular improv comedian and consultant, Stevie Ray. For registration information, visit the Web site, email CPS, or call 612-625-5060.

As CPS wraps up the 2003–04 school year, it anticipates more and varied partnerships and programs to enrich the professional development of all those committed to the educational excellence and the well-being of our children and youth. Browse the CPS Web site for summer and fall professional development classes at the college. Suggestions for better serving the needs of education and human development professionals are always welcome!