Acadia, AVRSB agree to long-standing partnership

BY KIRK STARRATT

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Although it’s a partnership in teacher education that has existed for more than a century, the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB) and Acadia University now have a formal agreement to back it up.

The first official partnership between a school board and a university faculty in Nova Scotia was signed at Acadia’s Fountain Learning Commons in Wolfville Tuesday, Oct. 28. AVRSB Superintendent Dr. Norm Dray and board chair Lavinia Parrish Zwicker signed the agreement on behalf of the school board and Acadia University Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Tom Herman and Acadia School of Education Acting Director Dr. Ann Vibert signed on behalf of the university.

The partnership agreement will enhance supports for teacher education for new and continuing teachers. The collaboration between the university and school board acknowledges that the education of teachers is a continuing process that begins in the School of Education, but continues on throughout the time they are involved in the public school system. The two organizations agree that the ultimate goal of any collaborative effort is the enhanced success of public school and university students in the Valley.

Herman said some people might wonder why the agreement is being signed considering there is already such a rich, productive history between Acadia and the AVRSB.

“There is a real sense of community that exists between our two organizations and there is a real sense of commitment and investment on the part of the school board and Acadia,” he said.

Will hopefully stimulate dialogue

Ensuring the best experience possible for education students is in the best interest of the school board as well. Herman said it’s important to reflect occasionally on the relationship and celebrate it in a formal way. The agreement will hopefully stimulate dialogue and Herman said there would be exciting developments involving the two organizations, as they become engaged in ways they haven’t been before.

Parrish Zwicker said both parties recognize the value of working together to enhance the development of pre-service teachers, support the continued professional growth of professors, teachers and administrators, enrich the overall quality of education offered to students in the public school system and enhance the success of university students in the Valley.

“Both the Acadia School of Education and the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board are committed to strengthening and deepening this working relationship through the principles of cooperation and understanding,” she said.

Dray said the agreement puts the relationship between the two organizations into an ongoing format that won’t be lost or put aside when personnel change. Stakeholders in the Valley believe education is a collaborative responsibility and the principles of cooperation the agreement formalizes set the stage for future joint work. The best interest of students in the 43 public schools under AVRSB jurisdiction is the board’s primary concern. The board’s mission statement is “Working Together for Students” and Dray said this agreement is a great example of that.

Organizations strongly linked

He said the two organizations are strongly linked, as most teachers hired by the AVRSB are educated at Acadia, most complete their practical teaching in AVRSB schools and a lot finish their Masters of Education at Acadia.

Vibert said the agreement recognizes a long-standing partnership and Acadia’s School of Education is excited about the possibilities for the future. She thanked all involved for making the agreement a reality.

Speaking on behalf of the students, faculty and staff of the School of Education, she said they are delighted to be formally recognizing their partnership with the AVRSB and fortifying their shared interest in the education of new teachers.

“This is, of course, work we couldn’t carry out without the other,” Vibert said.

To watch a video from the agreement signing ceremony, visit www.NovaNewsNow.com.

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Agreement highlights

• Establish partnership activities that serve the best interests of pre-service teachers, continuing teachers and students in the public school system.

• Exchanging information about proposed or anticipated changes in programs to assess impacts and opportunities for collaboration.

• Establishing expectations for collaborative activities.

• Forming research partnerships where possible and feasible.