University of Wisconsin - Extension

Faculty members at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) are coordinating a project funded through UW System's 2000-2001 PK-16 Initiative: Professional Development in Instructional Technologies for Teachers program. The Central Wisconsin Mentor-Teacher Initiative, supported by a $67,590 grant, is a collaborative effort involving UWSP's Extension, CESA 5, and Wausau, Stevens Point, Portage, Almond-Bancroft and Montello public schools. The grant was co-authored by UWEX Interim Vice Chancellor and former UWSP Assistant Vice Chancellor, Marvin Van Kekerix, and Joan North, Dean, UWSP College of Professional Studies.

Building on three years of collaboration through UWSP's Learning Through Education Technologies initiative, selected teachers receive training and support in order to enhance their leadership roles in their schools and communities. Teams of teachers then select, design, develop and assess instructional units that incorporate best practices in teaching and in the use of technology in the classroom.

Participants from each school district are granted release time in order to work on projects during the academic year. Implementation and assessment of curriculum redesign efforts at the district level will follow a summer retreat next year. "By giving mentor-teachers release time to work with area teachers, new and improved instruction in a variety of disciplines can reach a wider audience throughout Central Wisconsin," said North.