Professional Development Network (PDN)
As the only senior college of the CUNY system located in the borough of the Bronx, Lehman is fortunate to have access to a wide range of diverse schools in Regions One and Two. The Division of Education has developed what we refer to as a Professional Development Network (PDN) of schools that are partnering with the College in the preparation of teachers and counselors. While the sites vary significantly, they were chosen because the teaching/learning that takes place at those schools embrace our conceptual framework and offer our students valuable professional development experiences. The College has identified three levels of school participation that are possible: Professional Development Schools (PDSs), Resource Sites, and Partnership Sites.

PDSs are a small group of sites where all PDS goals are being met, all core characteristics are in evidence, and the two partners have committed all necessary human and material resources to ensure that the PDS is central to the culture of both institutions. The purpose of the PDS is to combine our resources and work together to improve results for Bronx students, novice teachers enrolled in Lehman College teacher education programs, and practicing teachers. A Lehman faculty member is assigned to each PDS site and is charged with supervising student teachers, providing staff development, consultation with administrators and identifying funding streams where possible. Currently the following schools have been identified as PDS sites: PS 304 in Region 2, PS 291 in Region 1, The Bronx Early College Academy (BECA) in Region 1, and the High School for Community Research and Learning (SCRL) in Region 2. With the advent of the development of many new small high schools, Lehman is working toward the establishment of a Professional Development Network for Small High Schools where we can provide both support to these schools and in turn place our fieldwork students and student teachers in these settings to learn about the varied roles teachers must play in small schools.

Resource Sites are those that may not have core characteristics of a PDS or address all PDS goals, but exhibit enough of the desired features to effectively provide for preservice/in-service teacher and counselor education development.

Partnership Sites encompass a smaller number of institutions that share with us the goals of improving education for children, supporting teacher and counselor education preparation and professional development for teachers, counselors, and administrators, but are not engaged in inquiry as to the impact of the partnership relationship on student and teacher learning. Partnership Sites may also share all the goals and core characteristics of a PDS but lack adequate resources for full PDS status. These sites have the potential for becoming PDSs

The overall network is a dynamic one and schools interested in either joining the network or applying for PDS or Partnership status are encouraged to do so. The Co-Chairs of the PDN are Professors Nancy Dubetz (nancy.dubetz@lehman.cuny.edu) and Aliexandria Lawrence Ross (alexandria.lawrence@lehman.cuny.edu) and you may direct your questions about the network to them. Elvani Pennil (elvani.pennil@lehman.cuny.edu) is our Professional Development Network Coordinator and arranges for fieldwork and student teaching/internship placements. If you are interested in having your school serve as a site for fieldwork students or student teachers, please contact her.

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