When I interviewed for my position as Assistant Professor at MBU, I was intrigued by a unique opportunity and offering for students pursuing education: A Teaching Partner program. Every course in our initial teaching licensure program, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), is taught by a team of Teaching Partners- a practicing Pk-12 educator and MBU instructor. Allow me to elaborate about the awesomeness of this duo.
- Built-in PD for both
When planning, tweaking syllabi, designing course curriculum, and delivering instruction, Teaching Partners offer ideas based on their current experiences in the classroom. On the flip side, as a faculty member immersed in research of literacy teacher education, I’m able to offer empirical knowledge that may ultimately benefit their teaching too.
- Staying up-to-date
With each Teaching Partner, I make an effort to get into their classroom; this allows me to see firsthand what innovative ideas are being implemented since I left the K-12 world. Teaching Partners reveal “how it is” in the classroom, sharing realities and challenges of 21st century teaching. In fact, one Teaching Partner shares daily examples on Twitter.
- Bridging Gaps
I can’t help but wonder if Teaching Partners help bridge gaps from teacher education classes to actual teaching.
- Someone is watching you
Our Teaching Partner program builds a healthy pressure. How? There is another human (who is a skilled educator in the field) observing the process of training teachers. The pure presence of another educator, one of whom I highly respect, sets a high bar even higher. I’m constantly thinking about how my students will perceive the information and delivery of content as well as my Teaching Partner’s perceptions. (I also teach courses without Teaching Partners; I’ve noticed the byproducts of “healthy pressure” stays with me across classes).
- Oh what fun!
Team teaching is enjoyable. Our COE students are regularly delighted by the relevant ideas and stories from Teaching Partners’ classrooms (and I am too)!
I’m sure you know the adage, “two heads are better than one.” When it comes to Teaching Partners, I certainly agree.
Note: The content of this post is based on my observations and opinions, which come from the lens of someone who is innately curious about other humans and particularly thrives off of connecting with others; however, I’m confident many other instructors at MBU would agree with these statements.