Fort Hays State University and Roosevelt Elementary School, Hays, Kansas
This partnership is an innovative school–university collaboration that reimagines teacher preparation by embedding elementary methods coursework within a partner school. Instead of separating theory from practice, preservice teachers learn in real time alongside PK–6 students, mentor teachers, principals, and university faculty. Coursework in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and special education is taught on site, allowing candidates to immediately apply instructional strategies, co- teach lessons, and reflect on their experiences within authentic classroom contexts. This approach positions the school as the hub of teacher preparation and fosters shared ownership among all stakeholders.
This model was designed, including scheduling structures, role coordination, communication systems, and strategies for building faculty and mentor buy-in in collaboration with the principal and teachers at Roosevelt Elementary School in Hays, KS. We have observed stronger candidate confidence, deeper understanding of teaching realities, increased cross-disciplinary connections, and stronger partnerships between the school and university.
