For 27 years, the Partners in Education (PIE) Master's program has offered a unique opportunity for teachers entering their first through third years of teaching to work toward their Master's degree while benefiting from both intensive coaching with mentors and collaboration with other PIE teachers. Prospective and novice teachers must apply to a School of Education Master's program in either Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity as well as apply for a teaching position (if one is not already held) in any of the three participating districts: Boulder Valley School District, Brighton 27J School District, and St. Vrain Valley School District.
The PIE program only begins in the fall semester. Applications to School of Education Master's programs are due February 1st. Openings for teaching positions are often posted on the districts' websites in the spring.
Each May, PIE teachers who are finishing their first year in the PIE program, known as their "PIE year," gather to celebrate the culmination of a year of mentoring and learning. Pictured below are the 2013-2014 cohort of PIE teachers with Program Director Penny Scott-Oliver at their year-end celebration, where they reflected on the school year and shared an info-graphic that illustrated their beliefs about teaching and learning based on their experiences. Clinical Instructors David Baker, Mary Jo Bode, Rychie Rhodes, and Flora Sanchez shared the accomplishments of PIE teachers as they grew through what can be a challenging first year of teaching.
On exit surveys, all PIE teachers highly recommended the program to new teachers, citing the value of having a coach in their classroom three hours per week, personalized mentorship and feedback, group seminars, and professional development that was responsive to their daily needs. In addition, the six credits earned in the first “practicum year” counted toward both the districts’ required induction programs and the Master’s program that they would go on to complete.
As PIE teacher Jamie Smith put it, “I would absolutely recommend this program to others because of the incredible support and guidance it provides. It also is nice to work with other new teachers and get support from people outside of your school with new perspectives and ideas.”
Click here for more photos of the 2014 PIE Program Celebration.
For more information on the PIE Master's program, go to colorado.edu/education/pie or email penny.oliver@colorado.edu.
Related Faculty: Penny Scott-Oliver, David Baker, Mary Jo Bode, Rychie Rhodes, Flora Sanchez