Station Working Groups: Building Partnerships

with State and Regional EducationOrganizations

State agencies and state organizations are very important partners for PBS TeacherLine. Funding for professional development comes through federal, state and local initiatives and much of the federal fundingis controlled by the states. So what are the most effective means for building relationships with your state agencies? In this session, we will continue the support models conversation by sharing in small groups the strategies and ideas that stations have employed as well as challenges that have been encountered.

  1. Describe a relationship or partnership that you have developed or would like to develop with a state education agency or organization.

Relationship developed:

  • DOE partnership with 3 year contract (ASSET)
  • NCLB Ed Tech (Regional) Recipients (WHRO)
  • Published state approved source for recertification (WQLN)
  • TeacherLine listed on DOE Web sites as approved for recertification (SC & GA)
  • State Technology Conferences - management had to agree to take TeacherLine class for full conference credit (KNPB)

Relationship you would like to develop:

  • Regional training centers
  • Special education service centers
  • Higher education associations
  • Early childhood education associations
  • NCLB Ed Tech Grants
  • DOE promotions and support
  • Getting in multiple doors in an education agency
  • Relationships with high-need schools
  • Peripheral education agencies (professional associations, Teachers Union)
  • State science, math network
  • State Coops (ex. offers continuing education)
  • State Board of Education
  • State testing companies
  • State title coordinator
  • State technology commission
  • State principals association
  • Education service center possibilities
  • National memberships
  • Discover local options
  • Share revenue
  • Local college interested in training facilitators
  • State media specialists
  • Partnerships with local education agencies
  • Coalition-proposal for purchase of large number of TeacherLine seats
  • Leverage existing relationships with LEAs, including licensees
  • Subject matter specialist trained as facilitators and help with marketing
  • Use existing relationships with teachers as advocates/communicators
  1. Who are the key officials to reach out to within your state education agency?
  • State teachers association partnerships may lead to DOE partnership
  • Work with professional associations who helped develop PBS TeacherLine courses
  • Assistant Superintendent of Instructions Technology
  • Assistant Director of DOE
  • Heads of state education agencies and regional offices of national organizations
  • State Association of Superintendents
  • Directors of Professional Organizations (ex.: IRA, Math, Technology, PTA’s, School Board Association etc.)
  • Politicians (Congressmen/women, Commissioners)
  • ISTE personnel
  1. Brainstorm some other vehicles/relationships that could provide entrée to the SEA.
  • Incentives for TeacherLine completers
  • Computer equipment (funded by outside source)
  • Co-brand TeacherLine offerings with outside source
  • TeacherLine advisory board with districts, universities, DOE reps, etc.
  • Link with state board of education governors office
  • Open houses for educators for new opportunities (ex.: new PBS Teachers site)
  • Highlight facilitators
  • On-air recognition of outstanding TeacherLine learners
  • Award recognition for TeacherLine “champion” supporters
  • Provide free workshops
  • Character appearances
  • Open house events
  • Inter-department endorsement and publicity
  • Education service center possibilities
  • National memberships
  • Discover local options
  • Share revenue
  • Training facilitators from local colleges/universities
  • State media specialists
  • Partnerships with local education agencies
  • Coalition-proposal for purchase of large number of TeacherLine seats
  • Leverage existing relationships with LEAs, including licensees
  • Subject matter specialist trained as facilitators and help with marketing
  • Use existing relationships with teachers as advocates/communicators
  • PBS pursue international schools, military schools
  1. How can you alert state officials to TeacherLine courses and initiatives?
  • E-mail blasts
  • Articles/promotion in partner newsletters
  • Link with state DOE Web sites
  • Access to partner listservs (extend your reach)
  • Include officials on your mailing lists
  • Find a way to get invited to their open sessions/meetings
  • Send them teacher testimonials
  1. How can you find out about professional development opportunities within your state?
  • Check state Web sites
  • Build relationships with colleges/universities in your state
  • Sign-up for their newsletters and listservs
  • Join professional organizations
  • Attend state conferences
  • Teacher associations

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Group 1 – John Church, WVIZ; Nancy Thompson, LPB; Kim Flack, ASSET/Eight-KAET; Alan Nowicki, WNED; Meagan Taylor-Booth, WHRO.

Group 2 – Heather Lavigne, WGBY; Brian Callahan, WHRO; Nancy Pearson, NHPTV; Linda Forkner, RMPBS; Beth Nagy, WQLN; Mary Kemp, WLRN.

Group 3 – Rita Bigham, WVIZ; Rose Poston, KNME; Deborah Webb, NHPTV; Emily Castleberry, UNC-TV; Claudette Holt, AETN.

Group 4 – Ginette Brown, KLRN; Marta Bechtol, WI ECB; Jeannie Campbell, IPTV; Bev Pearson and Sara Neys, Prairie Public Broadcasting; Chuck DeVoe, WNED.

Group 5 – Jo Ann Scalf, NPT; Gail Strong, WFYI; Carolyn Holderman, SCETV; Megan Myers, KNPB; Nikki Mook, MPT; Craig Cuddihy, KLVX; Jeff Allen, OESD 114; Cathie Stimac, OPB.