FSU/PDS Partnership Awarded Grant

The Fairmont State University/Professional Development School Partnership will receive $73,000 in grant funding from the Benedum Foundation and the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts to continue its work with Marion County's Jayenne Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Dunbar Middle and Miller Junior High schools.

The FSU/PDS Partnership integrates professional teaching practices in public schools with professional teacher preparation programs in colleges and universities to enhance the quality of both. The West Virginia Partnerships for Teacher Quality (WVPTQ) funds will be used to provide resources to schools to support FSU students in clinical placements, to support public school professionals in their own professional development and to support university faculty in their work with P-12 educators and in developing their own scholarly agendas.

"The site-based grants from the FSU/PDS Partnership provide benefits to teachers in the form of resources that extend beyond the classroom to professional development that is truly advantageous to students and teachers alike," said Jayenne Elementary School Principal Tina Peterman.

Barbara Owens, FSU Director of Clinical Services and PDS Partnership Director, said the Partnership appreciates the funding from Benedum and the state Department of Education and the Arts.

"I also appreciate the involvement and commitment of our professional development sites to work as partners with us to create true learning communities. Educational change and progress cannot take place without the collaboration of these schools and the university," Owens said. "In the end, this collaboration will benefit all stakeholders: educators in training, professional educators and the children who are in these communities of learning."