Event to Showcase FSU Partnership Schools

A partnership at Fairmont State University that began a decade ago will host a “Showcase of Best Practices” event Thursday, April 28, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Bridgeport Conference Center.

The Professional Development Schools (PDS) Partnership includes 36 schools in Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston and Taylor counties. The intent of this event is to showcase the work of winning schools involved in the Partnership, which have been awarded competitive grant funding. These funds were used to provide ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers and staff that included job-embedded, site-based professional development. Each of the winning schools for the 2015 school year, was awarded funding up to $5,000 and has implemented the work that they will be sharing with other Partnership schools this evening.

A list of the schools that will be showcasing and sharing work includes:

• Barrackville Elementary/Middle
• Blackshere Elementary
• Fairmont Senior High
• Monongah Elementary
• Norwood Elementary
• Nutter Fort Primary
• West Fairmont Middle
• West Preston Middle
• White Hall Elementary
• Fairmont State University Tech Kids Grant

The keynote speaker for the evening will be Michael Green, President of the West Virginia State Board of Education. Green, a retired businessman with a background in technology, was appointed to the West Virginia Board of Education in 2009 to a nine-year term. He was elected vice president in 2013 and president in 2015. Green is a current resident of Morgantown.

There will also be a representative from Sen. Joe Manchin’s office, Justin Ray, who will deliver a greeting from the Senator.

“The PDS Partnership enables a truly collaborative relationship between the public schools and Fairmont State that benefits each partner and directly impacts education throughout this region,” said Dr. Maria Rose, FSU President.

To date, the PDS Partnership has attained more than $1.5 million in funding support from the state of West Virginia and the participating counties.

“This continued funding is a testament that the state and local superintendents and Boards of Education see the importance of higher education and public schools working together toward common goals in the field of teacher education,” said Barbara Owens, Director of the PDS Partnership and Clinical Experiences at Fairmont State.

“As the PDS Partnership continues to expand and prosper, it is becoming more apparent that educators from our institution and the public schools recognize the importance of collaborative work. We feel that it is this transparent process that will keep us all guided in the same direction as educators who are dedicated to this profession and our children. The Showcase of Best Practices event is our opportunity to share that work.”

About the photo:

Pictured from left to right are Dr. Carolyn Crislip-Tacy, Dean of the FSU School of Education, Health and Human Performance; Donna Peduto, WVBE Director of Operations; Barbara Owens, Director, FSU PDS Partnership; Dr. Maria Rose, FSU President; Michael Green, President, WV State Board of Education; Justin Ray, representative for U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin; and Scott Rotruck, WV Board of Education member.

School of Education, Health and Human PerformanceProfessional Development Schools PartnershipPDSBarbara OwensDr. Maria Rose