The Seton Hall intern program provides a tremendous amount of exposure to the classroom, and multiple opportunities to engage in teaching before doing the full student teaching experience. In our PDS, the interns meet every two weeks in reflective sessions to discuss a wide range of topics. These have included such things as classroom management, professional deportment, lesson plans, inquiry methods of learning and how to interview with a principal. In the first three semesters of the Cranford-SHU partnership, 90 interns participated.

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Online Community

Through Seton Hall University, the partnership is developing an electronic learning community (using Blackboard) to enhance communication and collaboration for PDS partners.   Among its components will be an electronic forum allowing interns and student teachers to submit questions and view responses from peers, professors and Cranford teachers and administrators.

Continuing Professional Education

In addition to the array of professional development opportunities offered through the Cranford Public Schools offices of Curriculum and Instruction, Technology, and Special Services, supplemental workshops were offered through the Goals 2000 PDS grant.

"Classroom Management of a One to Four Computer Classroom" was conducted by Dr. Rosemary Skeele, of Seton Hall. The Cranford teachers explored methods and sites to integrate the computer more into their curriculum. Sessions aimed at elementary teachers and at middle school teachers were held.

Mrs. Rose Macaluso (of CPS) and Dr. Lourdes Mitchel (of SHU) jointly presented "So You're a Cooperating Teacher" to Cranford teachers. Discussion explored what a creates a good mentor and concrete management ideas were provided. This workshop helped mentors appreciate having a student teacher as a professionally enriching experience.

Professor Deborah Zinicola (SHU) taught "Explanation and Investigation in Science," a session with the elementary teachers on how to use the inquiry method of teaching in an elementary science curriculum.

Through the PDS partership, a cohort of Cranford teachers are taking Seton Hall graduate education courses on-site in Cranford, in a PDS designed sequence which will lead to a Masters degree.

The Senior Seminar course required of all Seton Hall teacher candidates in their senior year has been taught on-site in Cranford for PDS student teachers. Taught by Dr. Lourdes Zaragoza Mitchel, SHU PDS Coordinator, some classes are also attended by teacher candidates' mentor teachers and university supervisors, to further the collaborative experience and the consistency of educational vision and practice.

Dr. Joseph Corriero (CPS) has run workshops at Seton Hall for the College of Education faculty. Topics have included "Teaching for Understanding" (the approach to lesson conception and design used throughout Cranford schools) and "What is Effective Teaching" (an introduction to Charlotte Danielson's Frameworks).