Luther PARTNERs
Luther PARTNERs is a program that operates as a proactive, joint venture between Luther College and Winneshiek County high schools. The outreach program offers local high school teachers and students the opportunity to share and utilize college resources such as faculty expertise, undergraduate perspectives, and technology to enhance learning experiences in pursuit of the following objectives:
- Provide financial and professional resources to support new initiatives for the educational development of high school students
- Offer financial and professional resources for high school teachers to support and enhance the ongoing student development programs already in place at area high schools
- Improve curricular collaboration among high school and college educators
- Build a stronger community by creating dialogue among educators about student-based issues
- Create a model of educational collaboration that can be replicated in other communities
Students, staff and faculty have opportunities to learn from one another. The different parties can exchange teaching strategies for working with young adults. Luther students are available to serve as mentors to high school students.
During the year, all area high school teachers are invited to submit a short application outlining a particular unit from their existing lesson plans and proposing ways to strengthen the curriculum using resources offered by the college and the Decorah community.
A total of eight proposals will be funded by the Luther PARTNERs Advisory Committee for implementation during the 2007-08 school year. Applications will be accepted September 1 - January 15, and will be reviewed as they are received. Teachers are encouraged to apply early.
Each teacher whose proposal is selected receives a $250 curriculum development award. The monetary award is to be used at the discretion of each teacher to enhance the existing course curriculum.
For example, the award could purchase additional classroom reference materials or cover the cost of field trips that supplement the course content. Since the teachers are responsible for designing their own proposal to utilize outreach resources, each award is often spent differently.
While on campus, school groups can utilize Luther's Round Table Room (RTR), a custom designed facility of networked computers that enables concurrent and immediate sharing of ideas and information. The RTR's Group Systems software is designed to facilitate the free flow of ideas and allows users to remain anonymous while participating in dialogue.
This feature will enable students to share their thoughts, questions, and concerns about controversial or sensitive issues, such as teen pregnancy, drug/alcohol abuse, or diversity, more openly--without fear of reprisal from peers. With the assistance of learning tools like the RTR, Luther College can help local schools get at the heart of important social issues with their students.
Luther PARTNERs is based out of the Academic Dean's Office. The outreach efforts are coordinated by the Luther PARTNERs Advisory Committee, which includes Barbara Nelson, program director, Charles Christianson, professor of accounting and management, Jeanie Lovell, director of corporate and foundation relations, Kate Martinson, professor of art, Brad Chamberlain, associate professor of chemistry, Rachel Sandhorst, instructor in education, and Jane Whelan, assistant dean.
Thank you for your interest in Luther PARTNERs and please take a minute to fill out the application if you are interested in participating in the outreach program.