Placements and partnerships
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities works with a number of schools/districts to prepare teacher candidates and impact P-12 student learning. Some of the ways we collaborate are through:
- quality clinical placement opportunities
- co-located methods/foundations courses continuous improvement for teacher preparation
- mentoring of new teachers into the profession professional development for school sites
To do this work, we recognize three levels of collaborative school partnerships:
- Placement sites, where our students are placed for field experiences and student teaching, but limited formal collaboration beyond these placements exists;
- Partnership sites, where greater formal collaboration occurs, including co-located methods courses, the establishment of cluster sites, and opportunities to serve on UMN Twin Cities advisory boards;
- Designated School Partnerships (DSP), where formal data sharing agreements are in place, and regular meetings occur to work on short-term and long-term mutually beneficial goals, and focused efforts on aligning theory and practice.
Multiple pathways to teaching
MPT works with local school partners and organizations to tailor curriculum delivery and identify promising candidates, many of whom already have extensive experience working in the schools and often in high needs areas. Many candidates are in district positions while working towards their licensure and master's degree coursework.
Together with CEHD’s commitment to educating the next generation of teachers, MPT is helping to overcome predicted teacher shortages while diversifying the teacher workforce.
Placements and partnerships team
Kathy Byrn Kathy Byrn
- Clinical Partnerships Coordinator, Elementary & Early Childhood
- 612-991-1117
- byrn0039@umn.edu
Kathy supports clinical partnerships and co-teaching placements for elementary education and early childhood education.
Amy Jo Lundell Amy Jo Lundell
- Coordinator of Secondary Education Field Experiences
- 612-624-7448
- lunde037@umn.edu
Amy Jo finalizes and tracks clinical/co-teaching placements across the University. She answers questions about placements, surveys cooperative teachers, coordinates payment of stipends, and manages professional development for cooperating teachers.
Kelly Meyer Kelly Meyer
- School Partner Network Coordinator
- meyerk@umn.edu
Kelly coordinates innovative partnership development projects across partner districts and school sites. She also leads the professional development planning and coordinates preparation for clinical supervisors working with network schools.
Charissa O'Neill >
Field Placement Coordinator, Department of Educational Psychology
coneill@umn.edu
Collaborates with partner schools on practicum/student teaching placements for special education teacher licensure programs.