Brochure

View the Center for Partnerships brochure in pdf. Requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.

Initiatives

Team Leadership

Led by faculty at the college's School of Education, Health, and Human Performance, the Center for Partnerships is comprised of three teams, including Teaching and Learning, Community Outreach, and Research. These teams facilitate the Center for Partnerships' goals, providing leadership for its long-term commitment to student achievement and community stewardship.

Center for Partnerships to Improve Education Organizational Framework

The Teaching and Learning Connection

The Teaching and Learning team brings together College of Charleston faculty who share their best practices, providing professional development, academic programs, and classroom instruction strategies across the curriculum. This approach allows the Center for Partnerships to build on the expertise and resources of the entire campus, forging a connection among a broader community of educators to improve student achievement and facilitate teacher preparation.

• Paula Egelson, Ed.D.
  Director, Center for Partnerships to Improve Education
  Coordinator, Teaching and Learning Team
  Paula Egelson is a former community organizer and elementary and middle school literacy teacher. For the past 15 years she worked in research and professional development at SERVE, the federally-funded educational laboratory serving the Southeast. Her specialty areas include school improvement, literacy, teacher evaluation, English language learners, and at-risk students. She was instrumental in implementing Senior Project, a performance assessment for twelfth-graders, in high schools across the Southeast.

Teaching and Learning Team Summaries

Community Outreach

The Community Outreach team serves as an advocate in support of activities in the Center/school partnership, and shares project activities and outcomes with the school and its community stakeholders, including teachers, parents, school districts, businesses, and civic organizations. The Outreach team facilitates cooperation and collaboration between the Center for Partnerships, the school and the community at large, creating a forum for informed discussion and ensuring effective communication.

• Andrew Lewis, Ph.D
  Coordinator, Community Outreach Team
  Andrew Lewis’ credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Albany State University, a Master of Science in Physical Education from the University of Tennessee (Knoxville), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Adapted Physical Education from the Ohio State University. Visit Dr. Lewis' website.

Research

The Research team, comprised of faculty at the College of Charleston, in partnership with school faculty members, is involved in research at the school, classroom, and community levels. This research will provide insights into areas such as student engagement, candidate preparation and retention, effective leadership, and influence of the community. In addition to research, the team also evaluates all Center activities.

• Steven L. Thomas
  Coordinator, Research Team
  Steven L. Thomas acted as a program coordinator for several professional development projects. He has experience as a grant coordinator in California and prepared teachers at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. He is interested in policy issues as those issues relate to teacher education and professional development.

Directory of Faculty and Staff Involved

• Jinny Bartel
• Paula Egelson
• Christine Finnan
• Faye Hicks-Townes
• mutindi ndunda
• Cass Runyon
• Steve Thomas
• Meta Van Sickle
• William Veal

The Partners

• College of Charleston
• School of Education, Health, and Human Performance
• Charleston County School District