Texas A&M International, Northwest Missouri State Discuss Collaboration

Texas A&M International University's College of Education and Northwest Missouri State University's College of Education and Human Services are currently discussing a possible collaboration between the two institutions. The collaboration would be a first for A&M International's College of Education.

Dr. Linda Medearis, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Special Populations at A&M International, said the collaboration may include a faculty exchange, exchange of expertise and instructional materials relating to diversity issues, and joint development of professional education programs. The collaboration may also include a limited student exchange.

"A limited number of our students would conduct their classroom practicum in Missouri and some of their students would come here for their practicum," explained Medearis.

The student exchange would expose students to a different culture, a different environment.

"That experience will help our students become better educators, and Missouri State's bilingual education majors would greatly benefit from spending time in Laredo classrooms" she said.

A preliminary meeting on the possible collaboration was held at A&M International this summer. The meeting included a tour of the new, state-of-the-art campus.

Representatives from Northwest Missouri State who attended the preliminary meeting included Dr. Joseph F. Ryan, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services; Dr. Max Rulh, Chair of Educational Leadership; Dr. Michael Graham, Director of Educational Field Experiences; and Dr. Carol Baker, Professor of Education.

As a result of the preliminary meeting, two faculty members from Northwest Missouri State recently conducted a presentation at A&M International for the TAMIU Educational Principal's Academy.

The presenters, Dr. Carol Baker, Professor of Education at Northwest Missouri State University, and Ms. Sharon Strating, an instructor with the Horace Mann Lab School at Northwest Missouri State, spoke before a group of educators from the University and Laredo Independent School District. The topic of the presentation was "Authentic Assessment."

In February, Dr. Medearis will travel to the Northwest Missouri State campus to address their Administrators' Academy. Medearis will speak on "Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Cultural Considerations."

For more information on the collaborative between A&M International and Northwest Missouri University, contact Medearis at 326-2687.

Additional information on the University's College of Education may also be secured by visiting the University's Home Page, http://www.tamiu.edu.