A Fairfax County Public Schools Partnership with Marymount University
The Professional Development Schools (PDS) is an innovative, collaborative graduate-level teacher education program conducted by Fairfax County Public Schools and Marymount University. Now in its thirteenth year, the partnership has expanded to include interns studying towards certification to teach in general education and learning disabilities. Graduates of this highly selective program are awarded the Master of Education degree and licensure in Virginia as a teacher of grades PK-grade 6, licensure in Learning Disabilities K-grade 12 with an endorsement to teach in PK-grade 6, or licensure in Learning Disabilities K-grade 12.
The PDS interns spend nearly a full school year in a cohort. Their internship begins before the FCPS school year begins for students. Interns are assigned to two of eight elementary schools in Fairfax County. They are in their schools full days, four days each week, Tuesday through Friday. Assignments change to a different grade and school in January. Interns participate fully in the life of the school, from instructional and grading responsibilities to committee work and extra curricular activity participation. Elementary schools participating in the PDS program include Aldrin, Dogwood, Hutchison, Sunrise Valley, Silverbrook, Woodlawn, Glen Forest, and Newington Forest. Hayfield Secondary School and Herndon High School are also part of the partnership. Interns currently at Sunrise Valley will be assigned to Dogwood in January. Interns working towards certification in Learning Disabilities will have an additional placement in a high school.
Marymount University professors conduct required graduate classes on Fridays at two of the PDS sites. In addition, extensive staff development activities are conducted for teachers and interns by school staff and school system specialists. Interns have the experience of substitute teaching for their mentors and other staff in the PDS schools when teachers attend professional development sessions.
The majority of graduates of this highly acclaimed teacher education program are teachers in Fairfax County Public Schools. Seven graduates have been nominated for the Sallie Mae First Year Teacher of the Year Awards, one was selected as the Phi Delta Kappa Student Teacher of the Year, and one received the Fairfax County Public Schools Outstanding First Year Teacher Award. Principals report high degrees of satisfaction with the performance of PDS graduates. Former interns report that due to their training during the program, they were exceptionally well prepared and did not function as novices during their first year of teaching.
The Fairfax County Public Schools PDS Coordinator for interns at Sunrise Valley Elementary is Sandra McDonnell. For more information about this program, please click on the School of Education link below or contact Sandra McDonnell at 703-904-3817.
-- Sandra McDonnell
PDS Coordinator at Sunrise Valley Elementary School
Professional Development Schools links:
Marymount University (Arlington, VA ) Main Page
School of Education & Human Services
