NEWS

Louisiana Tech’s College of Education has entered into an instructional and supportive agreement, a Professional Development Relationship, with schools from Lincoln and Caddo parishes.

These relationships are formed through partnerships between professional education programs and preschool through 12th grade schools.

They work together over time to build relationships and to develop new strategies to prepare teacher candidates and enhance student learning.

Ruston Elementary School, I. A. Lewis School and Ruston High School in Lincoln Parish will serve as Professional Development Schools for the partnership.

“I am pleased that the Lincoln Parish School System will participate with Louisiana Tech University in the PDS and Professional Partner School ventures,” said David Gullatt, dean of the College of Education. “The experiences gained by both the university and the school system will assist both institutions in meeting their goals of providing better services for area teachers and students.”

Lincoln Parish School Board Superintendent Danny Bell added his enthusiasm for the program.

“Through these professional development partnerships with Louisiana Tech University, our students and schools will, no doubt, be moving forward academically through enhanced teaching and learning,” Bell said. “These already fine schools will greatly benefit as a result of this level of added faculty training and engagement with university faculty.”

Ridgewood Middle School will serve as the Professional Development School from Caddo Parish.

“The faculty and staff are very excited to participate in a partnership with Ridgewood Middle School for the next two years,” Gullatt said. “Both the middle school and the university will be stronger as a result of this coalition. We will both be able to achieve our goals of providing better services for area teachers and students.”

Professional development schools support professional and student learning. In order to accomplish their goals, PDS partners create new roles, responsibilities and structures to utilize resources.

Written by Judith Roberts