Accomplishments

Notre Dame of Maryland University – School of Education

2022-2023 Professional Development School (PDS) Accomplishments

NDMU formally partners with 14 public schools across 5 different school systems to develop teacher interns, engage in reciprocal professional development, and support school progress goals.  Below are just a few of the many accomplishments these partnerships have accomplished this year.

John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School – Baltimore City Public Schools

Liaison – Dr. Patty Silver, Assistant Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator – Lauren Watson, Vice Principal at John Ruhrah

The John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School partnership hosted three interns this year and hired one.  STEAM diversity goals associated with the MEER Grant were met through partnering to provide a multitude of STEAM professional developments throughout the year, including modules on computational thinking, coding, circuitry, and 3D design led by NDMU professors. All teachers were provided with a new MacBook as part of the grant work, along with NDMU professor trainings in MacBook use, Blended Learning, and Incorporating Vocabulary for English Language Learners in Content Classes. The site coordinator and liaison presented their work with the grant at the National PDS Conference in Florida, and will begin work on a journal publication about the successful implementation of the MEER grant at Ruhrah.

The partnership also started work with an additional grant – the Elevate Grant – which will provide teaching certification through an apprenticeship program for eight paraeducators who work at the school. Along with the School of Education leadership, the partnership supported these eight paraeducators in a visit to Notre Dame’s campus where they each received a tour, mini-trainings, an orientation, and a motivational visit from President, Dr. Marylou Yam. 

Medfield Heights Elementary School, Baltimore City Public Schools

Liaison- Dr. Lisa Pallett, Associate Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator- Stephanie Jones, Teacher at Medfield

At Medfield Heights elementary, NDMU is beginning a partnership to support the teachers in integrating computer science into the curriculum. Dr. Lisa Pallett is working with the leadership team at the school to introduce them to a coding program for young students called Scratch and support them in integrating this tool into their instruction.

Belvedere Elementary School –Anne Arundel County Schools

Liaison – Dr. Lisa Pallett, Associate Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator – Kelly Henderson, Teacher at Belvedere

Belvedere hosted five successful teacher candidates this academic year. Two of the interns were asked to serve as long-term substitute teachers. Interns were provided with support throughout their internship on topics ranging from how to successfully complete their edTPA (Educative Teacher Performance Assessment), classroom management, and PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.) Through the partnership, NDMU supported the school’s PBIS initiatives by contributing to materials for the program.

Western High School, Baltimore City Public Schools

Liaison – Dr. Stephanie Savick, Associate Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator – Leah Prandi-Abrams, Teacher at Western

One intern successfully completed his internship at Western this year. The intern was welcomed to the school and integrated with the faculty immediately upon his arrival. He was supported by weekly chew-and-chat sessions organized by the site coordinator and provided with Western swag upon the successful completion of his internship. The partnership offered a professional podcast study on Angela Watson’s, 40-Hour Teacher Work Week. Approximately 7 teachers participated in the study during the spring semester and engaged with organizational strategies related to working smarter, not harder, in the teaching profession where 40 hours could easily turn into 80 hours each week, according to participants.

Woodlawn High School, Baltimore County Public Schools

Liaison – Stephanie Savick, Associate Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator – Corrie Hamlett, Teacher at Woodlawn

Five interns successfully completed their internships at Woodlawn High this year. The coordinating council continued their tradition of offering semester-long ‘chew and chat’ sessions for the interns who were able to engage with administrators, counselors, the school psychologist, the PBIS Coordinator, and the equity team among others.  These sessions allowed interns to get to know important faculty and staff members outside of their mentors’ classrooms and feel a greater connection to the entire school. The partnership offered a 4-part professional development opportunity focused on the application of ESOL strategies in general education classrooms. The professional learning experience was hosted by Woodlawn’s ESOL teacher, Rebecca Thornton, a former graduate of Notre Dame’s teacher education program.  The 7 teachers who participated in the book study received learning stipends from Baltimore County Public Schools and presented their work at the end-of-year faculty meeting.

Lansdowne Elementary School, Baltimore County Public Schools

Liaison – Dr. Joanna Newton, Assistant Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator – MacKenzie Borgmann, Teacher at Lansdowne

Three interns successfully completed their internships at Lansdowne this year. Upon completing his internship, one intern assumed a long-term substitute position in his mentor’s classroom while she was on maternity leave. The coordinating council offered two professional development opportunities for K-5 teachers on phonics and word study instruction. Fourteen teachers, including classroom teachers, Special Education and ESOL teachers, and long-term substitutes, participated in an after-school professional development workshop co-facilitated by Dr. Newton and Lansdowne’s Literacy Specialist. A follow-up session was offered one month later for teachers to reflect on lesson implementation and determine next instructional steps. Dr. Newton presented a roundtable discussion at the National PDS Conference in March, 2023 in which she shared how the partnership’s efforts to prioritize relationship building have supported the creation of a collaborative culture.

Johnnycake Elementary School, Baltimore County Public Schools

Liaison – Dr. Renee Garraway, Assistant Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator – Jolene Antioli, Teacher at Johnnycake

Johnnycake Elementary hosted three student interns this year in grades 2, 3, and special education. Student interns participated in all grade level meetings and professional development sessions at the school. Grade level planning sessions allowed interns to explore topics related to curriculum and interpretation of school data. The student interns completed exit interviews that indicated their overall positive experiences at the school. The school’s focus on mathematical discourse enhanced their understanding of strategies to meet the needs of a culturally and linguistically diverse student population. Dr, Lisa Pallett, Associate Professor, provided a professional development session to faculty at Johnnycake aligned with the math school progress goals.

Hillcrest Elementary School, Baltimore County Public Schools

Liaison – Dr. Patty Silver, Assistant Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator – Dianne Tirocchi, Teacher at Hillcrest

Hillcrest Elementary hosted three student interns this year. Monthly chew and chat sessions provided interns with ongoing support and an opportunity to discuss areas of need. Interns also participated in monthly grade level meetings that provided them with valuable professional growth opportunities. All interns met with success in completing edTPA.

Broadneck High School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Liaison: Dr. Kristine Larson, Assistant Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator: Meghan Welsh, Teacher at Broadneck

The partnership was expanded this year through formal events, social gatherings, and flourishing integration. Coordinating council members hosted quarterly PDS partnership breakfasts to thank teachers for the work they do, and recruit them to be teacher mentors, adjuncts, and graduate students at NDMU. These events increased NDMU’s visibility at Broadneck. The integration of flourishing/ comprehensive wellbeing also continued into this year. Dr. Kristine Larson was invited by BHS teacher, Tara Segree to co-teach a lesson on integrating flourishing into English content using, “The Bean Trees,” a book by Barbara Kingsolver. Dr. Larson traveled to the National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) conference in Jacksonville, Florida in March to present on this work and to share about this innovative approach towards integrating and promoting flourishing in high schools. Moreover, the partnership welcomed Mr. DJ Hunt as the newest advisor for the Student Alliance for Flourishing (SAFF) initiative. The SAFF seeks to promote individual and community flourishing, and is in its third year at Broadneck. This year, Mr. Hunt advised an all-male group of about 10 students to support the mental and emotional health of young men at BHS. Lastly, teachers met for a social gathering at Smashing Grapes in February and April to discuss wellbeing using the book, “The Art of Flourishing” by Jeffrey Rubin as a talking piece.

Kenwood High School, Baltimore County Public Schools

Liaison – Dr. Kevin Ensor, Assistant Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator – Mary Ellen Sittner, Teacher at Kenwood

The liaison and site coordinator, in conjunction with Principal Brian Powell, discussed faculty needs assessment results from the 2021-2022 academic year and it was determined that SEL was an area of need for improvement for faculty at the school. To address this need through the PDS partnership, the NDMU faculty liaison and site coordinator offered a book study for all interested faculty members.  The book chosen for the study was, “Teach, Breathe, Learn: Using Mindfulness Strategies In and Out of the Classroom.”  Participants maintained a mindfulness journal throughout the study and created an action plan to incorporate mindfulness into their daily teaching. The PDS partnership plans to expand SEL professional development opportunities into next year and pursue research and grant opportunities to provide more funding for SEL initiatives.

Stemmers Run Middle School, Baltimore County Public Schools

Liaison – Dr. Kevin Ensor, Assistant Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator – Jen Miller, Teacher at Stemmers

Social-Emotional Learning and academic motivation were identified as primary professional development focus areas based on teacher needs assessment data from Stemmers. Dr. Kevin Ensor, conducted an after-school professional development session for interested teachers. The presentation, entitled, “Fostering Academic Success and Social-emotional Mindsets,” was well attended. After the presentation, participants discussed techniques and strategies that could help students improve their academic mindsets. Participants expressed an interest in attending more professional development sessions that dove deeper into methods used to integrate mindfulness techniques and incorporate strategies that could foster more positive mindsets into the academic curricula.  The partnership plans to offer follow-up sessions in the next academic year.

Church Creek Elementary School, Harford County Public Schools

Liaison:  Rosemary Poling, Assistant Professor, SoE

Site Coordinator:  Lauren McHugh, Reading Specialist at Church Creek

Church Creek Elementary School welcomed five interns this year who were placed with talented mentor teachers in Special Education, Kindergarten, and 1st-4th grades. During each placement, interns participated in team, content, and faculty meetings as well as professional development opportunities offered by CCES and Harford County Public Schools. A book study on the science of reading was conducted by the site coordinator for teachers and interns. All interns were a positive presence among mentors, faculty, and administration. One intern took a long-term substitute position at Church Creek and another at a neighboring school in Harford County. Two interns were offered open contracts in HCPS with one accepting a position at Church Creek for the 2023-24 school year.

Clemens Crossing Elementary School

Liaison- Angelo Letizia, Assistant Professor, SOE

Site Coordinator- Michelle Alban, Teacher at Clemens Crossing Elementary

Five interns successfully completed their internship experience at Clemens Crossing this year. Two of these interns accepted positions in HCPSS for AY2023-2024. In December, the partnership hosted a professional development session for interested teachers on Restorative Justice Practices in Elementary Schools. A professional development library was also created at the school with a focus on trauma informed instructional resources.  The goal moving forward is to add new titles to the library each year. The liaison presented a session on this topic at the annual National PDS Conference in Jacksonville, Florida in March.

Long Reach High School

Liaison – Angelo Letizia, Assistant Professor, SOE

Site Coordinator – Kathleen Jones, Teacher at Long Reach

Two interns successfully completed their internship experience at Long Reach this year. A professional development library was created this year with titles focusing on ESOL strategies for general education classrooms. The goal moving forward will be to identify titles of interest to faculty each year.

Partnership Accomplishments

Partnership Accomplishments 2022-2023

Partnership Accomplishments 2021-2022

Partnership Accomplishments 2020-2021

Partnership Accomplishments 2019-2020

Partnership Accomplishments 2018-2019

Partnership Accomplishments 2017-2018

Partnership Accomplishments 2016-2017

Partnership Accomplishments 2015-2016

Partnership Accomplishments 2014-2015

Partnership Accomplishments 2013-2014