The initiative promotes teacher education; the enhancement of local schools; health, nutrition and literacy education, and the expansion of youth opportunities in local communities.
University of Massachusetts Amherst officials, alumnus Bill Cosby and regional school district representatives from the Athol-Orange and Gill- Montague areas will celebrate the inaugural year of the “Bridges to the Future” teacher preparation and community improvement program on Thursday, June 2.
A ceremony will be held Thursday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School in Orange to recognize the 35 teachers-in-training from the UMass Amherst School of Education and the mentor teachers with whom they have worked closely during the program’s first year. Cosby, along with UMass and local school officials, will offer comments.
Andrew Effrat, dean of the School of Education said, “The key aspects of this collaboration—close work with the school systems to form professional development districts in the planning and delivery of this program, intensive on-site internships and course work, the effort to recruit local people, and the strong community linkage—make this a cutting-edge initiative. I am delighted with how welcome we have been made to feel by the teachers, administrators and community members in Athol, Orange and Gill-Montague.”
“Bridges to the Future” was inspired by Cosby’s long-standing interest in and support for education reform efforts. The initiative promotes teacher education; the enhancement of local schools; health, nutrition and literacy education, and the expansion of youth opportunities in both communities. Literacy education, community development and support for teachers and schools have been a long-term goal of Cosby, who received his doctoral degree from the School of Education in 1976.
The initiative began in fall 2004 with UMass Amherst working in collaboration with four rural school districts in western Massachusetts. The program builds on the idea of bridges connecting the public schools and local communities of Athol, Royalston, Orange, Petersham, Wendell, New Salem and Gill-Montague with the university. During the year-long teacher certification and master’s degree program, teacher candidates take classes at UMass while student teaching in Athol-Royalston, Orange Elementary, Ralph C. Mahar, and Gill-Montague school districts.
One of the program coordinators, Ruth-Ellen Verock O’Loughlin, was born and raised in Athol, taught in Orange and has returned as a UMass faculty member to help bring these programs into existence.
Verock O’Loughlin and Barbara Madeloni, both “Bridges” program coordinators and School of Education faculty members, note that the initiative’s inaugural class includes 16 graduates receiving master’s degrees in elementary education and 19 receiving master’s degrees in middle and secondary education. One candidate is a 2000 graduate of the Mahar school district, where he did his practice teaching this fall. Verock O’Loughlin and Madeloni said of the interns, “All are committed to developing links between school and community, which will be supported and sustained by their community service in the towns, as well as their course work at UMass Amherst and their student teaching.”
Dana Parker, superintendent of Athol-Royalston, said, “I have been impressed that the students are well prepared for this intensive experience, immersed in a new teaching and learning environment, and have quickly established strong connections with students and teachers. This has also been invigorating for the teachers within the district.”
Mahar Regional Superintendent Eileen M. Perkins said, “I am delighted to see the enthusiasm that the ‘Bridges to the Future’ candidates bring to the school. Their contributions to our communities are much appreciated.”
Paul Burnim, superintendent of the Orange public schools, noted, “Ultimately, it is the children who are the beneficiaries of this program. To have teacher interns who are dedicated to the well-being and success of our kids can only help our schools.”
Superintendent Sue Gee of the Gill-Montague Regional School District stated, “We are delighted to be part of this partnership to enhance our capacity to serve our communities. We look forward to continued involvement and growth of this wonderful initiative.”
More: The Cosby Principle