The College of Education and Human Services at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is committed to the preparation and professional development of K-12 teachers. The Partnership for Co-Teaching at UW Oshkosh is one program that encourages a local K-12 teacher to co-teach the elementary science methods class at UW Oshkosh with Dr. Michael Beeth. The Partnership for Co-Teaching enhances preparation that UW Oshkosh students receive while preparing to become licensed teachers by merging the practical experiences of highly qualified teachers from an area school district with the preservice science methods course at UW Oshkosh.  The primary purpose of the partnership is to bridge the knowledge presented in university teacher preparation courses with the knowledge of experienced K-12 teachers. Graduates of UW Oshkosh exposed to the expertise of a local teacher learn to bridge the gap between practical and theoretical aspects of teaching as a result of interacting with experienced local teachers during the time they are learning effective methods for teaching science. 

During the fall semester Ms. Susie Buche who teaches 5th and 6th grade science at  Stephen Foster Elementary School in the Appleton Area School District co-taught the science methods course with faculty member Michael Beeth.  This semester (Spring 05), Mr. Bruce Fowler, a Biology teacher at Omro High School in the School District of Omro is co-teaching the science methods course.

I really liked the ideas Susie Buche [the co-teacher] brought to this class and have already used the activity books she suggested. Very helpful.

Thank you to Dr. Beeth and Susie Buche for making the class relevant to what we will be doing when we get in the real world. It was a pleasure coming to class and learning from such interesting and qualified teachers.

I valued this class and the co-teaching because it brought different perspectives into the classroom.

It was good to have Susie Buche [the co-teacher] share her experiences … she was dealing with elementary kids everyday. I really enjoyed [both co-teacher’s] insights!

The co-teaching was great! I hope it continues. It was really nice to get two different perspectives.

Co-teaching a methods class requires a local teacher to be released from their regular teaching duties one day each week for up to 14 weeks. A prospective co-teacher is selected for this professional development experience after describing his or her professional activities related to science teaching and learning.  An applicant’s school administrator is also required to submit a letter describing how this co-teaching experience would contribute to the applicant’s professional development as well as other district initiatives. 

For more information about this program contact Dr. Michael Beeth - beeth@uwosh.edu.