Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal
About the Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal
The Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal (MSUNER),
one of the foremost university-school partnerships in the nation,
promotes the simultaneous renewal of schools and teacher education
through collaboration between and among the University
and 26 member school districts.
Montclair State University faculty members from education and the arts
and sciences teach courses and provide professional development and
coaching to teachers on-site in partner schools. Teachers and
administrators in member districts have the opportunity to work with
national and local experts on school and teacher education reform and to
collaborate with neighboring schools and districts. The MSUNER sponsors
professional development activities for more than 11,000 teachers and
administrators in its member districts. Over the past 20 years, the
MSUNER has developed an extensive research-based professional
development program offering members an array of opportunities for
professional and intellectual growth.
Teachers in member districts can submit an application to become
Clinical Faculty members for the University, serving as cooperating
teachers, on-site mentors, co-facilitators of workshops and seminars,
and adjunct faculty on campus. The MSUNER has more than 1,000 Clinical
Faculty members.
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Mission Statement
The Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal promotes the simultaneous renewal of schools and the education of educators through a collaboration between and among Montclair State University and member school districts as equal partners. The Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal seeks to balance self-interest and selflessness in the provision of teacher preparation, professional development, curricular development and research. The Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal strives to provide the best possible education for all students, enabling them to make good judgments and to become contributing citizens in a social and political democracy.
Goal 1: We will move forward in our commitment to teaching for critical thinking as an educational ideal.
Goal 2: We will consider what it means to make a commitment for all teachers to work to enculturate the young as citizens in our political and social democracy and to understand the agenda for education in a democracy.
Goal 3: We will work to prepare teachers who see themselves as stewards of best practice and who understand the nature of change within the institutions in which they work.
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What does it mean to be a member of the MSUNER?
When a district joins the MSUNER, and pays membership dues, it makes a commitment to work
toward achieving the mission and goals of the Network. This also means accepting
(and giving priority to) Montclair State University pre-service teachers for field
placements and student teaching, and working with colleagues from Montclair State
University and other partner districts to effect change and renewal in schools
and in teacher education.
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What does membership in the MSUNER mean for teachers?
Teachers in partner districts can apply to the University for appointment as Clinical Faculty members.
We seek experienced, highly-effective teachers who see themselves as learners as well as teachers,
who are eager to serve as role models and mentors for teacher education students, and who value
culturally responsive teaching and teaching for critical thinking as central to their work with students.
Once appointed, Clinical Faculty members may serve as cooperating teachers,
on-site education mentors, co-facilitators of workshops, co-teachers of student
teaching seminars, and adjunct faculty for other courses at the University. They
also have campus privileges including general parking and a Montclair State University
ID card that allows access to Sprague Library and the ADP Center for Teacher
Preparation and Learning Technologies.
All Clinical Faculty members take three required mini-courses on coaching
and mentoring, teaching for critical thinking, and culturally-responsive
teaching. For many Clinical Faculty members, the opportunity to meet,
work, and study with colleagues from other districts who share their
professionalism and commitment is a major benefit of membership in the MSUNER.
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How does the MSUNER contribute to school renewal?
In many MSUNER partner schools, Clinical Faculty members meet regularly as a group with student
teachers to discuss important issues of teaching, learning, and mentoring. This climate of
professionalism and spirit of inquiry contributes to the renewal of schools and teacher education.
The MSUNER offers a wide array of professional development programs and activities that
enhance teachers' knowledge and skills and help create a climate of continuous improvement
in Network schools.
- Professional Development Series: a series of mini-courses
on a wide variety of topics related to teaching.
- Summer Conference: an annual conference each June where
grant recipients share their research and best practices with their
colleagues through a series of conference presentations and poster sessions.
- Technology Workshops and Annual Conference: MSUNER
sponsors technology workshops each semester and an annual January
technology conference through the ADP Center for Teacher Preparation
and Learning Technologies. MSUNER teachers and administrators participate in
workshops on integrating technology into the curriculum.
- Teacher Study Groups: Each district receives up to $1,000 to
fund Teacher Study Groups in their district. Teachers work together over
the course of the academic year on an area of professional interest or an academic project.
- Dodge Action Research Teams: Teams of six educators from partner
school districts conduct a year-long intensive action research/self-study
professional development experience that involves researching and transforming teaching practice.
- Teacher Incentive Grants: Grant amounts ranging from $100-$200
are awarded to teachers to work on a specific short-term project.
The purpose of this grant is to encourage teachers to enhance student
learning by experimenting with new teaching strategies and projects.
- Teachers as Scholars: teachers and administrators are provided
an opportunity to immerse themselves in scholarly topics and issues
in small, liberal arts seminars offered by University faculty. Seminars focus
on three main areas: Great Lives and Literatures; Living, Learning,
and the Arts; and Science Matters.
- Finally, because the MSUNER is a member of the foremostnational
school and teacher education renewal organization, the National Network
for Educational Renewal, MSUNER partners have the opportunity to
participate in national conferences and forums devoted to school and teacher education renewal.
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How do partner districts and clinical faculty contribute to teacher education renewal?
The importance of field-based teacher education to the overall quality and success of teacher education cannot be overestimated. Our expectation is that all students will have their student teaching experiences in Nnetwork schools with Clinical Faculty members. This means our student teachers can learn from and with experienced, highly-effective teachers who understand and exemplify teaching for critical thinking. This also enables us to place our student teachers in schools where teachers collaborate with one another, take reflection seriously, and see themselves as learners as well as teachers.
We promote a co-teaching model for the student teaching experience. This allows for the cooperating teacher and student teacher to share the classroom responsibilities and give more individual attention to the students.
In addition, Clinical Faculty members from partner schools serve on committees and task forces at
the University, thus adding their valuable input into the renewal and development of the teacher education program at Montclair State University.
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Membership Responsibilities for Member Districts
Agree to actively participate in the MSUNER for a minimum period of two years by formal
ratification of the district Board of Education or the Superintendent.
Provide active representation to the MSUNER Executive and Operations Committees.
Select a District Coordinator.
Demonstrate commitment to the mission of the Network.
Agree to give priority to students from Montclair State University for placement in clinical assignments.
Contribute annual dues as specified by the MSUNER Executive Committee.
Agree to implement the established criteria and procedures for the selection and retention of Clinical Faculty.
Agree to promote, support, and acknowledge the participation and
leadership activities of Clinical Faculty in MSUNER activities including those
related to professional development and teacher education.
Participate in dissemination and evaluation activities of the MSUNER.
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Membership Responsibilities for Montclair State University
- Provides director for the MSUNER.
- Provides office space, secretarial support, and mail and telephone service for the MSUNER.
- Grants appointment as Clinical Faculty to qualified personnel from member districts.
- Provides representation on the Executive and Operations Committees.
- Finances and manages the budget of the MSUNER.
- Provides space and funding for MSUNER professional development programs and events.
- Compiles a database of faculty members willing to consult in MSUNER schools at special rates.
- Enables faculty members to do work in MSUNER schools through the Faculty Scholarship Program.
- Facilitates grant writing and information about external funding sources for the MSUNER.
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Contact Us
From time to time, we add new districts to our partnership and are more than willing to answer questions, schedule meetings, and visit prospective member districts. Any questions or requests for further information should be directed to:
Cheryl Hopper
Director, Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal
Center of Pedagogy
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ 07043
Email: msuner@mail.montclair.edu
Office: (973) 655-7641
Fax: (973) 655-5227
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