The Plains Partnership

Reading buddies are a big part
of the program at The Plains
Elementary School.

Cohort groups of Early Childhood Education Majors spend a year with a team of professors and elementary faculty studying an integrated curriculum and gaining intensive classroom experience. The Plains Elementary/ Ohio University Professional Development School Partnership:

Began in 1991
Received BEST Practices award in 1996
Integrated curriculum planned, developed and delivered by elementary & University faculties
Self-renewing, supportive, cooperative learning environment
Inquiry and action research are integral components
Students spend two full days a week in classrooms
Teach with mentor teachers
Year-long experience at different grade levels: pre-Kindergarten through third grade and special education
Students connect theory from methods classes with classroom practice
Seminar features instruction in Literacy Collaborative

Professional Development
Early Childhood and University faculty participate in continuing dialogue which allows for sharing of their vision and expertise. There is a shared responsibility of creating a balance between content and practice in methods courses.

Provides structure and setting for teacher/faculty research
Teachers hired as partnership coordinators and part-time instructors
Teachers invited to attend and present at conferences with OU faculty

Student Teachers
A large percentage of our student teachers are derived from the block of students who participated in the partnership. The cooperating teachers have the responsibility for assessment. Seminars are held on-site and conducted by the liaison with the help and support of other elementary staff including:

Video tape self-critique
Development of a professional portfolio
Reflective journaling
Simulated team exit interview
Ohio University/Plains Partnership students' expertise has placed them in high demand in today's teaching job market

Unique Features

The Plains Elementary is a preschool through sixth grade Literacy Collaborative School
A fellow co-teaches with the partnership liaison
Students have selective admission and priority registration
The Plains Early Childhood Partnership is a collaborative effort involving the faculty of Ohio University in Athens, both within the College of Education and the College of Health and Human Services

For more information on The Plains Partnership, please contact:
Joan McMath
Professor, Teacher Education
College of Education
McCracken Hall 105C
Athens , OH 45701
740.593.4488
mcmath@ohio.edu

Janet Idleman
OU Partnership Liaison, Third Grade Teacher
The Plains Elementary School
90 Connett Road
The Plains, OH 45780
740.797.4572
jidleman@athenscity.k12.oh.us