Message from the Director
Sincerely,
Pixita del Prado Hill
Clinically Rich Practice
Professional development partnerships (PDPs) are innovative organizations formed through partnerships between teacher education programs and pre-K–12 schools. Through clinically rich practices, the goal of PDP is the development of a mutually beneficial partnership that leverages the resources of both the university and schools/community agencies to recruit, educate, retain, and support high quality educators and serve the needs of P-12 learners.
History
The concept of PDP grew out of efforts in the 1980s and 1990s to reform teacher education and to restructure schools. The Holmes Group, an organization of the deans of schools of education in research universities committed to the reform of teacher education, recommended in 1990 the creation of professional development schools to provide intensive clinical preparation to teacher candidates and create a bridge between university and school.
PDP at Buffalo State
The SUNY Buffalo State PDP is a large consortium of over 60 certification programs including early childhood, childhood, secondary, special education as well as P-12 programs such as art and music. The Buffalo State PDP partners with over 100 schools/community agencies with approximately 25 signed formal agreements each semester in Western New York, New York City, Texas, and across five continents. A unique feature of the Buffalo State PDP is its international program (IPDP). In recent years, the local interests of Buffalo and Western New York have become global as the number of immigrant and refugee children enrolling in our partner schools has increased and the number of languages spoken rose to over 80. Using the strength of the clinically rich practice systems in place, IPDP was created to provide teacher candidates, school partners, and teacher education faculty with opportunities for short-term, faculty-led, study away programs to explore language learning, compare educational systems, and expand our understanding of schooling.
Mission
The Professional Development Partnerships Consortium (PDP) partnership between the School of Education (SOE) and the Teacher Education Unit (TEU) at SUNY Buffalo State and participating schools is a collaborative effort. The partnership is dedicated to college faculty, school administrators, practicing teachers, and teacher candidates exploring effective practices to:
(a) cooperatively mentor teacher candidates and provide close connections to authentic classroom practice;
(b) promote shared professional development for all constituents;
(c) impact student learning; and
(d) research innovative and best educational practices.
Framework
The SUNY Buffalo State Professional Development Schools Consortium is guided by clinically rich frameworks, including the National Association for Professional Development Partnerships (NAPDP) Nine Essentials, CAEP Standards for Excellence in Educator Preparation, and SUNY Buffalo State TEU Conceptual Framework.
Governance
The SUNY Buffalo State PDP is governed by the Teacher Education Unit Professional Advisory Council (TEUPAC) which meets 3-4 times annually to guide the direction of our PDP. Members of TEUPAC represent all stakeholders across the PDP including district/building leaders, classroom teachers, teacher candidates, and teacher education faculty.
At the school-based level, Liaison Committees meet to make placement decisions, discuss how to use the PDP agreement stipend, and problem solve. The group consists of the principal, a mentor teacher, and the university faculty to represent the various stakeholder groups. The PDP Consortium holds four regular meetings each year, located at PDP sites across WNY.
Pixita del Prado Hill
Director, Professional Develoment Partnerships Consortium
Professor, Elementary Education, Literacy and Educational Leadership
Pixita del Prado Hill is a professor in the Department of Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership at Buffalo State University. She serves as PDP Co-Director, Global Literacy Engagement Co-director, and IPDP Chile Co-Leader. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in literacy methods, social studies methods, assessment, and introduction to education. She has partnered with numerous PDP schools in Buffalo, NY and Santiago, Chile and is currently partnered with the Lafayette International Community High School, PS 207. Dr. del Prado Hill was previously a middle and high school English and Social Studies teacher. Her research interests include school-university partnership, international education, global children’s literature, and content literacy. Her recent co-authored publications include PDP Bends but Doesn’t Break: How PDP Structures and Processes Can Help Schools and Universities Respond Effectively During a Crisis in School-University Partnerships (2021) and the books, The Impact of PDP Partnerships in Challenging Times (2020) and Doing PDP: Stories and Strategies from Successful Clinically Rich Practice (2017).
Graduate Assistants & Student Representatives
Hailee Cipollina, Graduate Assistant
Exceptional Education, B.S., ‘24
Early Childhood and Exceptional Education, M.S.Ed.
Hi! My name is Hailee Cipollina, I am the PDP graduate assistant, and I have been a student rep for the past three years. I am currently in my last year of my master’s program for Early Childhood Exceptional Education. Over the summer I am a teacher at BOCES summer school program for their Extended School Year program and during the school year, I am a substitute at Niagara Wheatfield. I have had the incredible opportunity to travel with IPDP to the Dominican Republic in January 2023 and to Zambia in May 2023. I cannot possibly recommend these programs enough as it was a such an important part of my time at Buffalo State. Working with PDP has taught me skills that have helped me grow as a future teacher and a leader and I can’t wait to continue learning this year with PDP!
Jennifer Seguro-Lopez, Graduate Assistant
English Education (7-12), B.A., '25
English Education (7-12), M.S.Ed.
Hi there! My name is Jennifer Segura Lopez, feel free to call me Jenny. I work as the graduate assistant for the Elementary, Literacy, and Educational Leadership and the School of Education and Applied Professions offices. I recently graduated from Buffalo State and am currently working on my master's in English education (7-12). When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, baking, watching movies and crocheting. In addition to this I love yoga, visiting coffee shops and going for walks at Delaware park. Feel free to ask me about any questions you might have regarding school or just stop by and say hi!
Benj Speisz, Student Rep
Childhood Education, B.S.
Hi! My name is Benj Spiesz, I am a childhood education major with an English concentration and extension here at Buffalo State. I love working with students, and look forward to laughing and learning with a classroom full of them soon! I am excited for this year as being at Buffalo State and partnering with PDP provides myself, and all of us, with awesome opportunities to learn and grow. I look forward to stepping into things outside of my comfort zone, and diligently preparing for being an educator - these kids deserve the best!
Zachary Ellis, Student Rep
Childhood Education, B.S.
My name is Zach; I am majoring in childhood education with a specification in science. Outside of PDP, I am the president of Buffalo State Esports, and I play in the Buffalo District Soccer League in the Premier division. I have been playing soccer my whole life and played Varsity in high school. I also was part of the Clarence Chorale and the musicals during high school. I am super excited to be involved in PDP and can’t wait to meet everyone involved in this program!