WCE Partnership with Isaac Bear

The NASUP 2024 Exemplary PDS Award presented to WCE’s PDS School-University Partnership specifically recognized the unique partnership between the UNCW Watson College of Education’s secondary education program and Isaac Bear Early College High School (IBEC).

Isaac Bear opened in the fall of 2006 as a partnership between the North Carolina New Schools Project, New Hanover County Schools and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The school, which currently serves 252 students in grades 9-12, offers an accelerated high school education program with rigorous academics, community engagement and the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits prior to graduation.

IBEC’s mission is to promote a diverse student body, including first generation college students, in pursuit of higher education and civic responsibilities as they serve the community and extend their education from IBEC to the university. Isaac Bear has a 100% graduation rate with over 95% of graduates going on to higher education.

IBEC is located on the campus of UNCW which allows the school to engage with various facets of the university. IBEC students are often in the education building utilizing the WCE science lab for classes and other learning spaces. The school’s Physical Education (PE) classes are taught by university faculty in collaboration with pre-service PE teachers. Additionally, the university and school system partner to fund a shared, boundary spanning early college liaison role that supports students at the early college with their university transition and simultaneously works within WCE’s Office of Engagement, Professional Learning and Scholarship.

PDS Site Coordinator Danielle Talbert ’08M earned her master’s degree in secondary education from the Watson College, and currently, 83% of teachers and school leaders at IBEC are graduates of one or more of our WCE education programs. WCE secondary faculty maintain close connections to IBEC. Over the last ten years, 366 WCE secondary education field placements and 15 internships have been supported by IBEC teachers and school leaders.

PDS Site Coordinators and Partnership Teachers at IBEC also collaborate as leaders in WCE’S broader National Board (NB) Certification and edTPA Support Networks, and IBEC partnered as a placement site for UNCW visiting international Fulbright teachers.

In the fall of 2018, New Hanover County Schools and UNCW opened a Future Teachers Career Academy at Isaac Bear to serve as a collaborative “grow your own” teacher pipeline for the local district. The FTCA is a small learning community for high school student interested in a teaching career. WCE Ed Lab Director Brian Brinkley and Ed Lab Coach Courtney Townsend coordinate the FTCA in partnership with Talbert. The innovative program provides students with opportunities to mentor, volunteer and experience education from many points of view, beginning in the first year of high school. Participants receive early advisor support in preparing a path through high school, priority consideration for acceptance into UNCW’s Watson College of Education and priority consideration to teach in New Hanover County Schools following graduation from WCE.

Since its inception, three IBEC FTCA students have been awarded the school district’s teaching scholarship, committing to teach in the district once they graduate from college and earn their teaching license and five FTCA students have continued their education journey in the UNCW WCE. Currently 21 students – nearly 10% of the IBEC student population - are participating in the FTCA through full engagement or club membership.

 “Our partnership with IBEC reflects a shared commitment to improve student learning by enhancing the quality of teaching and school leadership,” said Robert Smith, professor of Secondary Education. “IBEC sees students for who they are and for their potential, and they work hard to ensure that student work is challenging, engaging and relevant. IBEC provides a great learning environment for students in our secondary education program and they’re a wonderful partner on our shared goal of creating new pathways to the teaching profession.”