Professional Development School

• About
• Mission
• Vision
• Purpose
• Partner Schools

About the PDS Partnership

The PDS Partnership is just one of the Professional Development School programs offered by the College of Education. The PDS Partnership was designed by faculty, classroom teachers and students to provide pre-service teachers authentic experiences in a classroom with a mentor teacher while taking professional education courses. As a participant in the PDS partnership you will be paired with a master teacher in an area school district.

The PDS partnership is open to elementary education majors who have been or will be admitted to Teacher Education before the fall semester in the spring. A limited number of students will be able to participate.

Mission

The mission of the participating P-12 schools in partnership with Pittsburg State University is to: provide pre-service teachers with an authentic experience which effectively utilizes unique elements of a diverse student population and experienced, professional staff in area schools; continue to improve the quality of education for area P-12 students by utilizing research-based techniques and teaching strategies; stimulate and encourage the participating P-12 schools and PSU faculties to develop professionally through continuous collaboration and interaction; so that the community of life long learners is better prepared to live and work in an ever-changing society.

Vision

The Professional Development School Movement looks toward the day when school and university faculties unite in a continuous search for enhancement of the quality of teaching and learning. This model has as its primary goal to simultaneously restructure schools and teacher education programs while redefining teaching and learning. A major aspect of the Professional Development School model is to transform the teaching profession through the redesign of university programs for the preparation of educators.

Purpose

Professional Development Schools aim to provide new models for teacher education by serving as a support for prospective and beginning teachers, as models of best practice, and as communications of professional philosophy to those entering the teaching field and those already practicing within it. They create opportunities for school and university educators to collaborate in action research and to expand the educational knowledge base by putting this research into practical application.

Partner Schools

• Pittsburg Community Schools
  • George Nettles
  • Lakeside Elementary
  • Westside
  • Pittsburg Middle School
• Frontenac USD 249
  • Frank Layden Elementary
• Girard USD 248
  • Haderlein Elementary