Bronxville Elementary School, with the help of a $79,000 Foundation grant, has launched a new partnership with LIU-Hudson. The partnership brings five graduate students to the School, serving as interns who will work closely with grade level teams and serve as highly qualified substitutes throughout the year.In addition, a university professor will be on site to work with the interns and offer seminars on topics of interest to the faculty. Each intern will be affiliated with a grade level and attend team meetings regularly. The interns will not only fulfill their student teaching requirements but also be fully integrated into the District's lesson study initiative. The lesson study approach, a validated best practice, involves collaborative observation of teachers at work. Peer observation leads to improved lesson design and classroom strategies, and the interns will be a key resource in making that happen.
Interim Principal Heidi Menzel stated that "This will be a huge win-win for us, and I know of no other school in the area that is incorporating both of these best practices -- lesson study and university partnerships." She closed by expressing her gratitude for Foundation support.
