Unique Collaboration Provides Professional Development Opportunity
Castleton University served as the perfect venue for summer professional development, as more than 120 educators flocked to campus for the Middle Grades Institute.
Coordinated through the Middle Grades Collaborative, the program represents a unique collaboration of faculty from Castleton University, Johnson State College, St. Michael’s College and the University of Vermont, providing ongoing professional development for aspiring and practicing teachers of 10-14 year olds.
Since 1991, the Collaborative has been enhancing teacher education in the middle grades and providing courses leading to a Vermont’s Middle Grades Endorsement. Traveling around the state each summer, the weeklong institute is now in it’s 23rd year of developing strong middle level teaching practices.
“This year’s theme is Flexible Pathways for Young Adolescents,” said Castleton Education department faculty member Monica McEnerny, who has been partnering with the organization for nearly four years, “It’s remarkable what teachers are doing for kids.”
McEnerny knows first hand the influence such a program can have in helping educators perfect their craft. Having first connected with the organization as a participant, she has joined several sessions in the past.
“I attended as a participant for three summers when I was an area seventh and eighth grade teacher,” explained McEnerny, adding that the program and its coordinators inspired her to improve her practice.
Although the Collaborative is based in Vermont, both Vermonters and teachers well beyond the states borders have found the institute to be a meaningful and an important professional development experience.
The summer program marks just one of the many professional development opportunities endorsed by Castleton. The Castleton Center for Schools, established in 2002, is committed to advancing education for all learners in the greater southern region of the state and beyond though both pre-service and in-service programs tailored to the needs of those working in schools in today’s demanding conditions.
Programs such as these prove Castleton to be a leader in professional development for educators across Vermont.