Educators seek Professional Development Certification
The Institute for Learning Partnership at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay welcomed 12 educators taking the initial steps toward Accomplished Educator Professional Development Certification.
Orientation activities were held Friday, Feb. 4 at Mary Ann Cofrin Hall for the 12 members of Cohort X, who represent seven school districts in Northeastern Wisconsin. PDC Coordinator Kim Desotell and PDC Program Assistant Patti Leary led the orientation program.
On Saturday, Feb. 5, they returned for their first PDC seminar, which included an Introduction to Propositions and Standards from Sandy Bader, a PDC graduate who serves as a PDC facilitator, helping to guide and mentor candidates. Cohort X members also received a presentation by Reference and Instructional Services Library Renee Ettinger, and were teamed with COG facilitators.
Cohort X includes three educators from Kiel High School, the first participants from that school district.
The PDC is a unique, self-paced, and individualized professional development program. The focus of the experience is based on student learning as well as professional growth for educators. It provides a responsive and practical structure for continuing professional growth and improved student learning.
Candidates work in collegial opportunity groups to develop and master their own individual learning plans, action research projects, and portfolio submissions. The PDC program is guided by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The Department of Public Instruction recognizes the PDC for 5 year re-licensure of educators in Wisconsin.
The 12 educators in Cohort X and their schools are:
Jodi Bergner, Westwood Elementary, West De Pere School District
Penny Smits, De Pere Middle School, Unified School District of De Pere
Georgianne Bravick, De Pere Middle School, Unified School District of De Pere
Kathryn Grawien, De Pere Middle School, Unified School District of De Pere
Jennifer Beringer, Kiel High School, Kiel School District
Erin Menhennick, Kiel High School, Kiel School District
Gretchen Mineau, Kiel High School, Kiel School District
Dana Bongle, Lincoln High School, Manitowoc School District
Jamie Glandt, L.B. Clarke Middle School, Two Rivers School District
Brett Meulbroek, S.A.I.L. Program, Sheboygan Area School District
Katrina Miller-Riesterer, Edison Middle School, Green Bay Area School District
Mark Dupuy, Chance for Change, Boys & Girls Club East, Green Bay
The Institute for Learning Partnership was founded in 1997-98 to focus on educational excellence with special attention to the PK-16 learner. The Institute brings together the resources of the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay and northeast Wisconsin’s school districts, businesses, and community leadership. It was the first PDC to be endorsed by the Professional Development Academy of the Wisconsin Education Association.
Eight northeastern Wisconsin school districts currently offer recognition and compensation for the PDC. These districts are De Pere, Sheboygan, Pulaski, Green Bay, Manitowoc, Two Rivers, West De Pere and Kiel. There are more than 230 PDC graduates in these eight districts.
For more information about Cohort X, the PDC program, or the Institute for Learning Partnership, call 920 465-5555; or www.uwgb.edu/learnpart/.
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