Montclair Public Schools Benefits from Partnership

Eighteen Montclair Public Schools teachers were recently appointed as clinical faculty members at Montclair State University in conjunction with their participation in the Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal (MSUNER), bringing the total number of MPS teachers to 157 (see names, below). The MSUNER is a school-university partnership dedicated to the simultaneous renewal of schools and teacher education through collaboration among Montclair State and its 30 partner school districts. In partner districts, teachers and administrators gain the opportunity to work with Montclair State University faculty at school sites and at the University. It is a model of partnership that effectively links all aspects of teacher preparation and development resulting in a continuous cycle of school, university, and teacher renewal. 

“Montclair was one of the first districts to enlist in participation in the Network,” said Superintendent Frank Alvarez. “As a unique educational system that has received national recognition as a model for high quality, integrated public school education, it seemed like a natural fit to become part of an ongoing community of practice that thinks deeply about what happens in schools and reflects critically on issues of teaching and learning.”

Teachers in partner districts can apply to the University for appointment as Clinical Faculty members. Those who are selected are experienced, highly effective teachers who see themselves as learners as well as teachers, who are eager to serve as role models and mentors for teacher education students, and who value culturally responsive teaching and teaching for critical thinking as central to their work with students.  

Once appointed, Clinical Faculty members may serve as cooperating teachers, on-site education mentors, co-facilitators of mini-courses, co-teachers of student teaching seminars, and adjunct faculty for other courses at the University. They also have campus privileges including general parking and a Montclair State University ID card that allows access to Sprague Library and the ADP Center for Teacher Preparation and Learning Technologies.

“Through our partnership with Montclair State and the MSUNER our district teachers have been able to participate in seminars, graduate courses, workshops and especially, teacher study groups, a professional, collaborative opportunity to reflect and discuss everything from motivation to differentiated instruction,” said Alvarez. “Additionally, our teachers and administrators who have been given Clinical Faculty status at MSU, have been introduced to the latest innovative practices in education which has not only led to conversations on the school and district level, but have inspired teachers to take on leadership roles.”

Recently, the MSUNER awarded a team of six teachers from Edgemont Montessori School a Dodge Action Research Team Project Grant. The Edgemont team was one of only four teams to be awarded this competitive grant. The MSUNER Dodge Project is a year-long intensive action research/self-study professional development experience. The goal of the action research project is to study, better understand, improve, and transform teaching and learning in the classroom. Each participating team receives $1,500 for resources to support their research in the first year, and $750 in the second year. The team will also present their research at next year’s MSUNER Annual Summer Conference. The Edgemont team’s Action Research Project will focus on creating a comprehensive instructional model that will support teacher collaboration across grade levels, content areas, and student interest and ability levels. This collaboration will be designed into learning teams dedicated to designing thematic units and common assessments that incorporate high-leverage teaching and democratic practices. Members of the Edgemont team include: Lisa Adams, Traci Cioffi, Mary Fiumara, Jeanne Nevin, Regina O’Connor, and Karen Plaskow.