Chalkboard Project to Explore New Ways to Prepare Educators

Kate Dickson returns to lead the analysis

PORTLAND-June 06, 2011- The Chalkboard Project has spent the last seven years exploring ways to strengthen K-12 public education in Oregon. Next the organization will begin to analyze teacher preparation programs as part of that work.

“In order to make Oregon’s schools among the best in the nation we have to make Oregon one of the best places to be an excellent teacher. Providing future educators with relevant and rigorous training is an important step toward that goal,” said Sue Hildick, Chalkboard Project President.

Kate Dickson will rejoin the Chalkboard Project to lead the analysis. Dickson has been an Oregon teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, Associate Executive Director for COSA, State Deputy Superintendent and leadership consultant. Most recently she was the Vice President of Education Policy for Chalkboard and returns after a year of travels across the country with her husband.

“Understanding the current state of teacher preparation and exploring new ways to recruit and prepare the next generation of teachers is so important to the future of education in Oregon. I’m looking forward to working with colleagues in higher education to develop innovative strategies that will ensure that we have a well-prepared teaching force,” said Kate Dickson.

Chalkboard will spend the next six months convening colleges of education, educators, school district administrators and other stakeholders.