Learn about offices and services within Engagement, Professional Learning, and Scholarship.
One of the strongest and most comprehensive examples of school-university partnerships in the nation is the Watson College of Education Professional Development System partnership recognized by the National Association of Professional Development Schools for Exemplary PDS Achievement in 2014.
The university recognized early that true systemic reform of teacher preparation would require honest and aggressive partnerships among schools of education, public schools and the general public. Since 1993, the Watson College has established collegial working relationships with twelve school districts and two public charter schools.
The Office of Professional Experiences strives to make high-quality placements for Watson College of Education students in a variety of supportive, professional settings during their education program. This process includes a commitment to making diverse placements with outstanding, experienced partnership teachers and administrators who support and guide students in a professional and productive manner.
In addition to the field placements, the Office of Professional Experiences puts forth great care and attention to ensure that course requirements, student needs, and preparations are met as students progress from field experience to licensure.
Our continuing goal is to provide professional experiences which foster the development of competent professionals to serve in leadership positions. This website provides access to information, forms, policies, and procedures related to the variety of professional experiences provided by the Watson College of Education.
The Betty Holden Stike Education Laboratory at UNCW is designed as a critical component of the undergraduate elementary and special education and middle grades programs. Students practice the methods they are learning in their courses by teaching a child in a one-on-one setting.
The Ed Lab is located in the Watson College of Education and provides an environment rich with print, non-print and digital media, manipulatives for math, and a wide variety of instructional tools and technology which invite learning.
Visit Betty Holden Stike Education Laboratory
The Watson College of Education supports its graduates in the first three years of their teaching career through the First Years of Teaching Support Program. This program engages teachers in reflective decision-making focused on developing instructional practices that increase student learning.
The components of the program include: onsite support and professional growth, school-based support, online mentoring, and web-based resources selected to address the responsibilities of new teachers. Participants receive a certificate recognizing their active participation in onsite support and professional growth activities.
Visit First Years of Teaching website
The Watson College of Education's "National Board Certification Support Program" for educators in our partnership districts and across the state began in 2001 and has continued to be a valuable resource for participants.
We have structured the activities and delivery sequence to provide increased support for all candidates and to address the changes implemented by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The Watson College of Education also takes an active role in teaching others how to provide valuable support to teachers seeking certification.