On Thursday, March 3, 2016, Clinical Instructors from the College of Education took to Washington D.C. for the National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) Conference to present their findings on innovative concepts to prepare college students for careers as teachers. 

“Our preparation model is so much stronger,” said Dr. Kenneth May, a Clinical Instructor at Kean University who presented the panel with his colleagues.

Clinical Instructors are retired school administrators who have had successful experiences in monitoring, maintaining and developing skills that enhance the classroom dynamic. With Kean University achieving national recognition as one of the 50 largest producers of teachers in the nation, as well as the largest producer of effective teachers in the State of New Jersey, this role proves crucial to the success of graduates of the College of Education.

The presenters were as follows: James Iozzi (Linden, NJ); Susan Kandell (Rahway, NJ); Frank Lineberry (Rahway, NJ); and Kenneth May (Plainfield, NJ).  A former Professional Development School student and current Rahway elementary school teacher, Courtney Lawreck, also participated.  The NAPDS conference was not exclusive to educators of the United States, as many traveled from countries such as Japan and the Netherlands to gain insight on the field.

“Clinical Instructors are like teaching coaches,” explained May.

The panel, entitled “Redefining Pedagogical Development Through Integrative Technology,” drew quite the audience as conference goers grew curious as what Kean University has to offer.

Speakers explained their innovative approach to teacher preparation: to bridge the gap between student and professional. With the Professional Development School (PDS) placement program, students are given the opportunity to collaborate with local elementary, middle and high schools.

Along with PDS, there is also an Online Resource Center (OLRC) provided through the college. This platform links eleven New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers to a variety of electronic platforms. The ORLC offers students documentation and explanation of various materials needed to make the connection between theory and practice for the classroom.

This method bridges the gap for students and May believes that the benefit outweighs the efforts in this instance. This model received praised from the entire audience of over 1,000 people.

“[The program] provides a stronger support network to students at Kean,” said May.

The NAPDS serves as an advocate for the educational community. They are dedicated to promoting the continuous development of collaborative school/higher education/community relationships and to create and sustain genuine collaborative partnerships between P-12 and higher education.

This March served host to the first NAPDS conference, which strives to continue the conversation that an educator’s job is important and impact students nationally.

For more information about The College of Education, visit the office in Hennings Hall, room 443.