Placements and partnerships
To close opportunity gaps, the University and school districts partner to recruit, prepare, mentor, and support future teachers and students.
Partnerships are mutually beneficial. The University and school partners collaborate to prepare and support high quality teachers. The University intentionally places and supports student teacher candidates who add value to improve student learning and engagement.
We value the strength of master teachers and leaders in our partner districts. They help us by sharing expertise and mentoring future teachers. By working together, we will close gaps for students.
School partner network
The network provides a shared space where all school-based and University-based educators focus on:
- improving P-12 student learning and engagement
- mentoring new teachers into the profession
- connecting initiatives and resources
- engaging in joint continuous improvement
Partner school districts and university faculty collaborate in events, site meetings, curriculum teams, and professional development as part of the Teacher Education Redesign Initiative (TERI) sponsored by the Archibald Bush Foundation.
Potential partners are identified in consultation with district leadership, school site administration, teachers, University faculty and staff based on these commitments:
- Putting P-12 students first
- Engaging in co-teaching
- Sustaining strong principals in schools
- Dedicating space, time, personnel and resources
- Supporting communities of learners
Current partner districts
- Brooklyn Center Community Schools
- Columbia Heights Public Schools
- District 196: Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
- Edina Public Schools
- Forest Lake Area Schools
- Minneapolis Public Schools
- Richfield Public Schools
- Saint Paul Public Schools
- White Bear Lake Area Schools
We welcome conversations with district and school leaders. Email Kelly Meyer, coordinator of the School Partnership Network, at meyerk@umn.edu for more information.
Multiple pathways to teaching
MPT works with local school partners and organizations to tailor curriculum delivery and identify promising candidates, many of whom already have extensive experience working in the schools and often in high needs areas. Many candidates are in district positions while working towards their licensure and master's degree coursework.
Together with CEHD’s commitment to educating the next generation of teachers, MPT is helping to overcome predicted teacher shortages while diversifying the teacher workforce. Learn more about our programs.
Placements and partnerships team
Katherine Byrn Katherine Byrn
- Clinical Partnerships Coordinator, Elementary & Early Childhood
- 612-991-1117
- byrn0039@umn.edu
Amy Lundell Amy Lundell
- Coordinator of Secondary Education Field Experiences
- 612-624-7448
- lunde037@umn.edu
I am an alumna (1991) of the University of Minnesota’s family education (family and consumer sciences) initial licensure Program.
Kelly Meyer Kelly Meyer
- School Partner Network Coordinator
- meyerk@umn.edu
