ROWE MIDDLE SCHOOL/SDEP PARTNERSHIP Growing Great Teachers in a Win-Win Arrangement

Rowe Middle School and the Secondary Dual Educator Program (SDEP) in the Graduate School of Education (GSE) at Portland State University (PSU) participated in a unique partnership during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years. Through the support and efforts of Rowe's principal and instructional coach, along with personnel and financial resources from the GSE, 8 teacher candidates from the SDEP joined cooperating teachers at Rowe in powerful, collaborative, on-the-spot professional development over the course of a 2-year student teaching experience in special education and a general education content area. Teacher candidates held significant roles by collecting student assessment data and experiencing targeted observations, walk-throughs, and lab classes. They also learned to deprivatize their practice. In the process, cooperating teachers learned how to differentiate curriculum more effectively to meet the needs of struggling students. Most importantly, their young adolescent students felt that they were heard, cared for, and safe while learning in large inclusive classrooms.