About the Governing Board
The Public School Partnership Governing Board consists of district Superintendents, the Reich College of Education Dean, Associate Deans, and Assistant Dean, as well as the Director or designee of the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance (NWRESA) and the Mathematics and Science Educator Center at App State. The Board establishes policies within which the Partnership will operate. They meet quarterly each year with additional meetings called when necessary. The Board is also responsible for approving fiscal expenditures. The chairperson will be chosen each year by vote of the Governing Board. The 2024-2025 chairperson is Dr. Eisa Cox of Ashe County Schools.
2024-25 PSP Governing Board Meeting Dates
Sept 13th, 9:30am to 12:30pm
Dec 11th, 9:30am to 12:30pm
Feb 14th, 9:30am to 12:30pm
April 11th, 9:30am to 12:30pm (App State Hickory Campus)
We will plan to meet in Room 124 in the RCOE, unless otherwise noted. We are looking forward to adding new partners and learning together again this year!
Members of the Governing Board
Leslie Alexander, Watauga County Schools
Dan Brigman, Avery County Schools
Phillip Brown, Mount Airy City Schools
Mark Byrd, Wilkes County Schools
Eisa Cox, Ashe County Schools
Chrystal Dean, Mathematics and Science Education Center (App State)
Aron Gabriel, Newton-Conover City Schools
Bill Griffin, Alexander County Schools
Jennifer Griffin, Hickory Public Schools
Steve Hall, Elkin City Schools
Monica Lambert, Reich College of Education (App State)
Anna Lankford, North West Regional Education Service Alliance
Terry McClannon, Reich College of Education (App State)
Tricia McManus, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
Mark Patrick, North Carolina School for the Deaf
Don Phipps, Caldwell County Schools
Hannah Reeder, Reich College of Education (App State) and the Academy at Middle Fork
Betsy Rosenbalm, Reich College of Education (App State)
Melba Spooner, Reich College of Education (App State)
Matt Stover, Catawba County Schools
Mike Swan, Burke County Schools
Melissa Weaver, Alleghany County Schools
Purpose
The fundamental purpose of the Appalachian State University Reich College of Education Public School Partnership Governing Board is to engage in co-creation and collaboration around the needs of pre-service and current educators in the northwest region of NC. The Public School Partnership has developed and maintained a strong collaborative program between the university and area public schools to improve education since 1987. The superintendents and RCOE leaders on the Governing Board have agreed to work closely as equals for the purpose of making educational improvements in areas that are of mutual concern to the Partners. Attention is given to enhancing the preparation of educators as well as to the continuing professional development of educators and leaders. Shared decision making exists as members work towards educational initiatives and improvements within the Partnership schools.
Impact
The impact of the Public School Partnership (PSP) Governing Board will include the following:
- Strengthen ties between the Reich College of Education and the PK-12 schools in the state, with particular emphasis on schools in western North Carolina, including official members of the Appalachian State Public School Partnership and educators at the Appalachian State laboratory schools
- Provide feedback and recommendations on how the PSP can be responsive to the needs of the community, state, and region
- Provide information on current practices and developments in educator preparation and leadership development
- Provide advice in planning programs to advance the educator pipeline through initiatives involving recruitment, investment, and retention of teachers and leaders
- Increase awareness and interest in the programs and activities of Appalachian State in Boone, Appalachian State in Hickory, Appalachian State Online, and the Appalachian State Academy at Middle Fork
- Support the cultivation of PSP partnerships within Appalachian State University and between other institutions such as those in the UNC System and the NC Community College System
The RCOE Public School Partnership plans to utilize the knowledge, experiences, and diverse perspectives of the Governing Board to:
- Provide connections between schools and other partners that the Public School Partnership (PSP) might directly impact
- Provide insight into the specific needs of p-12, university, and other partners who may participate in or collaborate on PSP programming
- Enhance partnerships across the state and strengthen ties to other groups interested in the Public School Partnerships’ programming (National Board Support, NC New Teacher Support, NC Principal Fellows Program, etc.,)
- Provide feedback on current programming and outreach activities provided by the PSP
- Lend expertise and perspective into current and future trends in public education
- Suggest ideas for professional development for Appalachian State faculty, staff and Partners to enhance the PSP offerings.
- Increase the visibility of the great work of the PSP and its partners by identifying, elevating, collaborating and scaling shared partnerships and innovations
Goals
The Goals for the Public School Partnership Governing Board below state that we aim to:
- Improve and expand mutually beneficial programming for preservice and p-12 educators at App State and throughout NW NC
- Support the development of educator recruitment, investment, and retention efforts at App State and throughout NW NC
- Increase the network of schools and partners we are impacting at App State, throughout NW NC, and across the state
- Maintain purposeful relationships and a positive message regarding the profession of education and the stakeholders in this mutual work at App State and throughout the state