Better Together: Educators Chart Course for Historic Partnership Between UAPB and U of A

Shannon Magsam

A P.R.I.D.E. of Lions and a band of Razorbacks listened and learned from one another on March 30-31 when 22 delegates from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Education visited the Fayetteville campus.

The College of Education and Health Professions hosted UAPB Dean Kimberley Davis, nine faculty and staff, and 12 students from the school's teacher education program, one stop on its "Teach P.R.I.D.E Tour."

Last October, Dean Kate Mamiseishvili and several College of Education and Health Professions faculty and staff visited Pine Bluff on a "Listening and Learning Tour" as part of the college's WE CARE — short for Wellness and Education Commitment to Arkansas Excellence — initiative.

Davis noted that the partnership between UAPB and the U of A in Fayetteville is historic. "An HBCU in southeast Arkansas and a PWI in Northwest Arkansas were able to team up to enhance opportunities for teacher candidates," she said. "Both institutions share the history of being land-grant institutions with similar educational initiatives to ensure teacher candidates are 'day one ready' for the classroom.

"After our initial meeting, Dean Mamiseishvili and I realized we are better together. The partnership established will provide opportunities for teacher candidates that cannot be done in isolation."

Mamiseishvili and Davis, both new to the role of dean at their respective institutions, are driving innovation and collaboration. "It was wonderful to have our UAPB colleagues and students on campus," Mamiseishvili said. "We had a great time together, listening and learning from each other. I am grateful to Dean Davis for her support of our partnership. We share the love for teaching and a strong commitment to preparing 'day one ready' teachers for the state of Arkansas."

On Thursday, March 30, UAPB guests visited some of the College of Education and Health Professions' academic programs in the departments of Curriculum and Instruction and Health, Human Performance and Recreation.

The day also included a workshop facilitated by Timberly Baker, Ph.D., on culturally responsive teaching. U of A and UAPB students and faculty enjoyed a networking dinner that evening. On Friday, faculty and students from UAPB spent the morning visiting two schools in Northwest Arkansas.

J.L. Jennings, director of field placement, accompanied one group to Don Tyson School of Innovation in Springdale, which is for students in sixth through 12th grades. The group toured the school building, and students observed the open classroom learning environment there. The school's assistant principal, Tom Doppe, shared the competency-based grading model that the school uses, which differs from the traditional A through F grading scale. He also discussed the philosophy of their students earning a "diploma plus." The school's goal is for every student to leave the School of Innovation with a diploma as well as an associate's degree, college credits or a certification. "He told us about several partnerships with industry in the community that allow students to earn certifications, sometimes resulting in high-wage jobs after graduation," Jennings said. "He emphasized that the school focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and math."

Karmen Bell, a clinical instructor at the U of A, took UAPB students interested in teaching at the elementary level to Owl Creek Elementary in Fayetteville. Her Instruction and Assessment of Writing class meets at the school every Friday morning as part of the Elementary Education's Professional Development School model.

U of A and UAPB teacher candidates worked together to present a character education lesson.

"We all returned to the classroom to debrief about the lesson," Bell said. "We discussed overall teacher preparation and K-6 teacher education within each institution, offering challenges and praises. We closed with hopes to send a delegation of UA students to the UAPB campus."

Mamiseishvili noted that the U of A College of Education and Health Professions and the UAPB School of Education plan to continue collaborating and learning from one other. "I look forward to developing more collaborative learning experiences for our students and strengthening our partnership. This is just the beginning."