Professional Development Schools Site Description

I.  Introduction:

Collaboration is the key underpinning of the Regional Professional  Development School Partnerships.  Formed in 1996 and 2002 between Salisbury University and  Wicomico High and Wicomico Middle, the partnership has been formed to provide a learning community that allows for the continuing professional development of practicing classroom teachers and Salisbury University faculty, working together to improve practice and enhance student achievement.

II.  Description of Partners: Mission, Background and History

    A. Mission:

The mission of the Regional Professional Development School (RPDS) is to provide preparation of excellent prospective teachers enrolled in elementary, early childhood, secondary, masters of art and teaching, physical education, music and TESOL programs at Salisbury University. It is the mission of this organization to provide a learning community that allows for the continuing professional development of practicing classroom teachers and Salisbury University faculty, working together to improve practice and enhance student achievement. To accomplish the mission of the RPDS, a PreK-16 partnership exists among the participating county public schools and Salisbury University. The partners are Anne Arundel County, Caroline County, Dorchester County, Seaford School District, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, Worcester County and Salisbury University. 

    B. Background and History:

        SU and Wicomico High:

       Salisbury University (SU) and Wicomico High School (Wi Hi) of Wicomico County, Maryland initiated a Professional Development School (PDS) relationship in Fall 1996.  Wi Hi was originally established as the first secondary PDS site in the County.  In 2002, Wicomico High School became the first paired secondary site by joining forces with its feeder school, Wicomico Middle School (Wi Middle).  As the only paired secondary site in Wicomico County, both Wi Hi and Wi Middle worked diligently towards meeting the PDS Standards.  The site coordinators for both sites (Jan Wagner, Wi Hi & Lisa Morris, Wi Middle) implemented several new ways for PDS initiatives to be met effectively.  The first way in which the two schools decided to do business came with the combining of each coordinating council to form one paired coordinating council.  As the combined coordinating council began working together on a regular basis, a tradition of summer strategic planning sessions became a natural next step for the paired site.  During the summer planning sessions SU PDS Coordinator, Doug Gibson and SU Director of Field Experiences, Harold Schriver were included to provide a true collaborative approach to the goals being set and the ideas being generated. Many positive PDS tasks were accomplished as a result of the cooperative atmosphere between both partners.  The following is a list of some of the types of  projects that emerged:  1)  a mentor/intern handbook was created outlining standard operating procedures for both schools and necessary contact information, 2) a mentor/intern reception was designed to orient all PDS stakeholders to the new placements being made each semester, 3) a presentation on “How to Assess PDS Sites Using the Standards” was developed and presented at the annual RPDS conference, and 4) SU PDS representatives teamed up with the coordinating councils from both schools to provide a PDS  overview to both faculties including a question and answer period devised to increase PDS “buy in” throughout both schools. 

       In 2003, the secondary PDS program in Wicomico County took on a new form as a Cluster Site whose membership included Wicomico High School.  Wi Hi has remained a significant and visible PDS site in guiding the Cluster towards becoming a highly functioning PDS body. 

(c) 2002-2007 Wicomico High School & WCBOE

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