The GCSU Partnership programs value collaboration. Our goal is improved learning for all.

Our purpose is to have a strong cooperative program that is reciprocal, and whose efforts will influence positively the preparation of preservice teachers, the improvement of skills and knowledge of practicing teachers and the refinement of the public school and university environment.
The partnerships strive to; prepare our teacher candidates for the challenges of P-12 teaching, promote development and synthesis of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that characterize professional educators and provide a supportive framework that promotes thoughtful experimentation and reflection. These partnerships will establish and maintain open lines of communication for shared input from all parties. The contribution of the host teacher in the teacher preparation process is invaluable. The experience of these well trained host teachers is invaluable to the successful preparation of new teachers.

GOALS of All Partner School Relationships

o Increasing P-12 student learning and achievement,
o Mentoring beginning teachers,
o Providing field-placements for teacher candidates to demonstrate outcomes of guarantee, and
o Collaborating in the preparation and development of teachers.

HOST SCHOOL MODEL
The Host Schools agree to provide field-placements for teacher candidates and to work collaboratively with GCSU in the preparation and development of teachers. GCSU will provide faculty to work collaboratively with the schools in supervising and mentoring the preservice teachers. A University Liaison will serve to maintain ongoing communication between the university and the individual school. The host school agreements are renegotiated annually. Click for a template of our host school agreement. 
 

PROFESSIONAL PARTNER SCHOOL MODEL
The more intense partnership between the public school and the university is called the Professional Partner School. This model consists of the field placements with a stronger more involved relationship with the school.  There is a steering committee for guiding the plans for achieving the partner school's stated goals, a faculty member(s) from Georgia College & State University will serve as the University Collaborator with the public school, and a public school employee is chosen as a Public School Collaborator with the university. The faculty at public school will have opportunities to engage in partnership activities, planning and joint presentation of projects with GCSU faculty. GCSU will assist in identified professional development and research activities for the school. From the public school perspective this agreement will have the potential to increase the number of the professional faculty and open avenues for contributions from teacher candidates and university personnel. From the university perspective this agreement will afford field placements for teacher candidates and provide the potential to bridge research and practice. A University Liaison will serve to maintain ongoing communication between the university and the individual school. The Professional Partner school agreements are renegotiated annually. Click for a template of our professional partner school agreement.