Professional Development Schools
Professional Development Schools (PDS) are schools that have joined with a university to accomplish educational goals that are mutually benefiting to each. A PDS is a collaboratively planned and implemented partnership for the academic and clinical preparation of teacher candidates and the continuous professional development of teachers. The design of a PDS partnership is based on outcomes for the PreK-12 students in the school with collaborative staff development and pre-service teacher preparation centered on those outcomes. At a PDS, University courses are held within the school context. These schools are clinical sites where cohorts of teacher candidates participate in structured learning experiences as part of their professional education programs.
There is a formal agreement between the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and the School District of La Crosse and the School District of Onalaska. These agreements include the following purposes:
- Exemplary instruction and other educational experiences for PK-12 students
- Preparation of teachers and other school based educators
- Professional development of teachers and other school based educators
- Applied inquiry designed to improve practice
Administrative Leadership
UW-La Crosse: Marcie Wycoff-Horn, Interim Director of the School of Education
wycoff-h.marc@uwlax.edu
Sheila Wirkus, Director Field Experience, UW-La Crosse
wirkusps.shei@uwlax.edu
Cindy Duley, Assistant Director Field Experience, UW-La Crosse
duley.cynt@uwlax.edu
Onalaska Schools: Fran Finco, Director of Instructional Services
finfr@mail.onalaska.k12.wi.us
La Crosse Schools: Randy Nelson, Associate Superintendent of Instruction
ranelson@sdlax.k12.wi.us
Professional Development Schools
Eagle Bluff Elementary School
200 Eagle Bluff Court
Onalaska, WI 54650
School: Todd Saner
UWL: Rita Chen
Program: MC/EA
Field Experience: Level I
The focus of this PDS is reading and literacy instruction. Teacher candidates learn about guided reading, tutoring and other activities associated with high quality literacy instruction and learn to put lesson planning into action with children at a grade level from 1 to 5.
North Woods International School
2541 Sablewood Rd
La Crosse, WI 54601
School: Sandy Brauer
UWL: Joyce Shanks
Program: MC/EA
Field Experience: Level II
The focus of this PDS is world language instruction and internationalizing the curriculum. Teacher candidates learn about curriculum integration and learn to put integrated study into action with children at a grade level from PK to 5. Every teacher candidate leaves this course with at least one integrated unit of study.
Onalaska Middle School
711 Quincy Street
Onalaska, WI 54650
School: Roger Fruit
UWL: Bob Ratigan
Program: EC/A, EA/A
Field Experience: Level II
The focus of this PDS is reading and literacy instruction. Teacher candidates learn high quality literacy instruction and learn to put lesson planning into action with early adolescents at a grade level from 6 to 8.
Logan High School
1500 Ranger Drive
La Crosse, WI 54603
Program: EC/A, EA/A
Field Level: Level I
Logan: Debbie Markos
UWL: Gary Willhite
The focus of this PDS is an introduction to high quality instruction. Teacher candidates learn high quality instruction and learn to put lesson planning into action with early adolescents and adolescents at a grade level from 9 to 12.