{"id":6512,"date":"2024-12-18T15:46:04","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T23:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogschapman.wpenginepowered.com\/education\/2024\/12\/18\/driving-excellence-in-teacher-preparation\/"},"modified":"2024-12-18T15:46:04","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T23:46:04","slug":"driving-excellence-in-teacher-preparation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/education\/2024\/12\/18\/driving-excellence-in-teacher-preparation\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving Excellence in Teacher Preparation: Attallah College Dean Roxanne Greitz Miller reflects on her experience as a Deans for Impact Fellow"},"content":{"rendered":"

At Chapman University\u2019s Attallah College of Educational Studies, innovation and commitment to teacher preparation are at the core of our mission. <\/span>In the 2023-24 academic year, I was selected as <\/span>an<\/span> <\/span>Impact Academy Fellow<\/span><\/span><\/a> with <\/span><\/span>Deans for <\/span>Impact<\/span><\/span><\/a>, a national organization that is dedicated to ensuring that <\/span>well-prepared teachers <\/span>teach<\/span> every child<\/span>. <\/span>As a Fellow, <\/span>I<\/span> joined a select group of <\/span>24 dean-level <\/span>education leaders <\/span>from across the United States in activit<\/span>i<\/span>es aimed to transform <\/span>teacher preparation programs across the country.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tackling an Adaptive Challenge<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

As an Impact Academy Fellow, I spent a week in residence in summer 2023 learning with my peers about teacher transformation efforts being undertaken nationwide. During the 2023-24 school year, each fellow engaged in monthly group and 1:1 virtual coaching sessions to develop and address an <\/span>adaptive challenge<\/span><\/a> specific to our local contexts, and we reconvened in person in summer 2024 for additional learning and sharing.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I used my adaptive challenge as an opportunity to address a critical issue for teacher candidates at Chapman: ensuring they are successful on the California Teacher Performance Assessments (CalTPAs). The CalTPAs measure a candidate’s ability to plan, teach, assess, and reflect effectively, aligning with California’s rigorous teaching standards.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although candidates in Chapman\u2019s teacher preparation programs consistently excel, by having a dedicated focus to the adaptive challenge through my Deans for Impact fellowship year, I was able to work with others and receive insight from national leaders to develop strategies that would empower both faculty and students in navigating the complexities of the CalTPAs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Path to Success<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The adaptive solutions that I focused on during my fellowship year included:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n