(BALTIMORE, Md.) – Notre Dame of Maryland University’s teacher preparation program was named one of the nation’s best for innovative partnerships with local schools that prepare students to become effective educators.
The National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) selected NDMU for a 2022 Exemplary Professional Development School Achievement Award. The honorees received their awards during the NAPDS National Conference in Chicago from Feb. 10-12.
“I feel so fortunate to be able to work with so many amazing people, and all stakeholder efforts should be celebrated with this recognition,” said Dr. Stephanie Savick ’92, M’99, D’09, NDMU’s professional development school coordinator. “Having a good system in place is important in building and sustaining the good work that is happening across our partnerships. We have built these partnerships based on best practices and research. Balancing that with reflection and innovation is critical as we seek to embrace future challenges in education as opportunities.”
The Professional Development Schools Program in the NDMU School of Education includes 13 public schools in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County, and Howard County, where student interns apply their coursework in the classroom. The partner schools work together with NDMU to provide the best opportunities for student interns to learn from mentor teachers and use their skills in the classroom. Strong partnerships play a major role in each student intern’s success.
A commitment to NDMU’s mission to advance equity and social justice is a unique feature of the Professional Development Schools Program. NDMU regularly seeks feedback from partner schools in developing innovative initiatives focused on inclusion for diverse populations, school improvement, and professional development.
Each semester, NDMU places 30-60 undergraduate and graduate students in two, 10-week internships in diverse settings that reflect Maryland’s student demographics. Dr. Savick says many interns get jobs in the schools where they were placed and return to NDMU for master’s and doctoral degrees.
“We are intentional in giving our interns experiences with students with an array of diverse backgrounds,” said Dr. Savick. “It is our responsibility to educate future teachers to work with diverse student populations, so that they are prepared to meet the needs of all students, not just students with backgrounds and abilities that are similar to their own.”
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.
Julia Campagna, director of mission and ministry at NDMU, discusses both the history of All Saints' Day and how the holiday is recognized on campus in this USA TODAY feature article.
