SCOEHS hosts Dutch educators for collaborative exchange

By Joy Batteh-Freiha

This Spring, the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services welcomed 52 educators and administrators from Viaa University of Applied Science College of Education in Zwolle, in the Netherlands. This group of Dutch educators participated in learning sessions, worked on a collaborative exchange of ideas, and visited schools in Duval and Clay counties.

Wilke van der Molen, program director and liaison at Viaa University, said the Dutch educators represent 21 school boards and more than 200 Christian-based primary schools. She praised the collaboration, noting UNF's strong leadership and confident teachers. 

UNF educates strong leaders and confident teachers leading the classroom and the learning processes," said van der Molen. "This is something we want to incorporate into our practices." Viaa University's education students attend classes two days a week, train in classrooms for another two days, and dedicate one day to remedial work. “From year one, 40% of our curriculum involves fieldwork with mentors and practicing teachers," van der Molen said. 

The collaboration began last spring 2024, when both groups of educators met while attending the National Association of School University Partnerships conference in Anaheim, California. 

“We were interested in sharing our knowledge and learning more about UNF's school-university partnerships, and we were impressed with Project Prep," said van der Molen.

In 2022, UNF’s Silverfield College of Education and Human Services, the College of Arts and Sciences and Clay County schools received a $7 million grant for Project PREP (Partnering to Renew the Educator Pipeline) to address the teacher shortages and develop teachers across the educator lifespan. 

“Despite the loss of funding for Project Prep, we remain committed to renewing the educator pipeline,” said UNF’s Dr. Rachelle Curcio, assistant professor of teacher education in the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services and one of the lead organizers hosting the Dutch educators. “Our work in this area will continue.”

Dr. Jamey Burns, director of partnerships and clinical studies in the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services, said the two groups of educators had several key objectives designed to enhance collaboration and drive meaningful outcomes.

“Our primary objectives were to deepen an understanding of each institution's approach to school-university partnerships, including models, challenges, and successes among other objectives,” Burns said. “This partnership will foster sustainable international engagement in teacher education and school improvement.”

In 2017, another group of Dutch educators visited UNF and were impressed by the University's rigorous education program. Following this recent visit, both groups will continue their collaboration through Zoom calls to engage in collaborative inquiry. This fall, Curcio and Burns, along with other colleagues, will travel to the Netherlands to further explore their partnerships in education and teacher development.

“Together, we are building a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in education,” Curcio said. “Our collective efforts ensure that every educator has the opportunity to grow and succeed in their profession.”