Fifty-two teachers learn together

"When my daughter was setting her wedding date, I told her, ‘You can't have it on the weekend of my class. Sorry, that's just too important."

The father making this statement about the value of his classes was one of 52 veteran teachers from Westfield, Montello, Adams-Friendship and Markesan who are about to graduate in a new master’s degree program, the Learning Community offered by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point School of Education and UWSP Extension.

All 52 of the kindergarten through high school teachers who started the program two years ago will graduate together in May. They also plan to celebrate with a post-commencement party at the Holiday Inn.

"This is not a traditional master’s degree program in which students attend classes and write a thesis," said Sue Slick, assistant professor of education and a facilitator of the Learning Community. She has been joined in leading the project by LeeAnn Chase, principal of Amherst Elementary School and an adjunct faculty member at UWSP. Slick and Chase developed the program with the assistance of Julie Helwig of UWSP Extension Credit Outreach.

The intensive two-year degree program calls for once-monthly meetings that run all day Saturday and Sunday. Plus, the teachers do additional hours of work throughout the month.

"Rather than completing a thesis, these teachers will showcase projects and professional portfolios in April at Westfield High School, the site of the program," Slick said.

Classes have been held in Westfield so that none of the participants drive more than half an hour to attend classes. The facilitators came from UWSP and other institutions. Having classes delivered close to home is significant because many of the teachers wouldn’t have been able to participate otherwise.

"These teachers have been challenged, but they have been extremely excited about this approach," Slick said. "They bring back to their school districts strong ideas for renewal, improvement and change."

"What I learn during the weekends in this program I can use every week and use it immediately," said George McCartney, a participant and teacher at Westfield High School.

All members of the group take three required courses led by UWSP faculty members. They then define their own needs and request classes from faculty members and others with expertise needed for the selected projects.

The second year of study has been devoted to the capstone projects that the teachers work on as individuals or as teams. The projects are based on insights gained through action research, a method where teachers define a problem, decide on a solution and put the solution into action. They then study changes in the classroom to see if the new strategies are working. In this way, they can continue to improve themselves and their classroom or school.

During a recent presentation of work the group has done so far, UWSP Provost and Vice Chancellor Bill Meyer was impressed with the effectiveness of the Learning Community.

"What strikes me is the level of enthusiasm these people have for the program," Meyer said. "While the teachers I talked to were quick to point out this vehicle for earning a graduate degree may not be for everyone, they were convinced that it was right for them. Many of them noted that the conversation in the teachers’ lounge has taken on a new flavor—they now talk more about what they can do to improve students' learning."

Meyer said an important benefit for the teachers participating in the program is that they can reinforce each other’s efforts.

"With renewed enthusiasm for teaching and student learning permeating their schools, these teachers are convinced that they will continue to experience significant professional growth long after they finish their degree program," Meyer noted.

The program was recognized for excellence recently by Region IV of the University Continuing Education Association, which includes representatives from eight Midwestern states.

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