The importance of our TN DOE recognized partnership work and my role as the Partnership Coordinator is both significant and essential in sustaining a competitive, respected, state-approved Educator Preparation Program. Prior to the convening of the TN DOE Inaugural Network for EPPs in 2016, the MC EPP enjoyed successful relationships with each of our LEA school district partners. Each of us in the EPP, worked positively and professionally with our LEA contacts, when and if we needed to make arrangements for candidates.

Unfortunately, the partnerships were loosely defined and managed. There were no single points of contact established, requests were often duplicated, and other decisions were frequently miscommunicated and recorded. Protocols for many of the shared responsibilities were verbally agreed upon, but no formal materials or processes were in place. We enjoyed partnerships that were characterized by friendly phone calls to express needs, informal meetings and visits to discuss candidate placements, and generally functioned without agreed upon systems in place.

The partnership work with TN DOE to formally identify and structure frameworks for co-constructing clinical experiences, co-designing coursework, and co-mentoring clinical supervisors has allowed the EPP to confidently address required competencies set forth by CAEP (the national accrediting body for EPPs) and the TN DOE Comprehensive Review Team.

The information and links below provide the evidence of this important work.