At Brown, a day of collaboration and growth for Providence-area teachers

Katie Rieser, director of the MAT program, spearheaded the new program to strengthen the reciprocal relationship between the University’s teacher education program and its six partner schools, a feat she believes has the potential to further Brown’s positive impact in local schools. 

“We rely on our mentor teachers to invest time in our MAT students,” Rieser said. “In return, we want to provide those mentors with additional support, professional development opportunities and funding for what matters most to them. Our hope is that Brown’s model of reciprocity leads to stronger classrooms, improved teaching practices and better outcomes for students as a result of that partnership.” 

On Friday, Jan. 17, mentor teachers from six Providence-area schools — Nathan Bishop Middle School, Hope High School, E-Cubed Academy, East Providence High School, Blackstone Academy Charter School and Central Falls High School — came together on campus for their second professional development day this school year, following their first workshop in October. 

The Central Falls School District and other local districts set aside professional development days during the school year. However, Fisher noted that Brown’s professional development days provide teachers with a valuable opportunity to reflect on their practice, recharge and gain new perspectives by collaborating with peers from across districts.

“What makes the Brown professional development experience unique is the chance to collaborate with educators from across Rhode Island’s urban core,” Fisher said. “I had in-depth conversations with teachers from Hope High School, East Providence High School and other local schools. These opportunities to collaborate with teachers from different schools are incredibly impactful. It’s easy to get stuck in one mindset when you’re focused on your own school, but seeing how others approach challenges and find solutions is invaluable — it’s a unique opportunity for professional development that doesn’t exist very often.”

Concrete, actionable solutions

Mentor teachers started the day with breakfast and a session guided by faculty from the Department of Education, including experts in history, English, science and math education, as well as specialist in multilingual learning. Divided by subject, teachers analyzed a recorded lesson, refining their observation and feedback skills while exchanging insights within their content areas. In a later workshop on classroom management, mentors explored coaching techniques for guiding MAT students on creating organized, effective classrooms. 

Expanding beyond the structured workshops, the days also prioritize peer-to-peer learning. During lunch and afternoon sessions, teachers gather in groups to discuss specific classroom challenges, collaboratively defining problems, analyzing root causes and exploring potential solutions. Topics range from working effectively with multilingual learners to navigating school cultures. 

This part of the program gives teachers time to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange resources and share best practices, Rieser said. 

“What’s meaningful about the day is that most professional development for teachers is top down and doesn’t always tap into teachers’ expertise,” Rieser said. “Our approach is the opposite. It’s discussion-based, with some structure and information, but we focus on giving teachers time to learn from each other. Often, there’s more expertise in the room than any of our faculty can provide.”

While mentor teachers collaborated on campus, MAT students served as substitute teachers for the day. Nearly all Brown MAT graduates earn teaching certification in Rhode Island, with many starting their careers in Providence-area schools after graduation. Fisher, a 2021 graduate of the program, for example, is now in his fourth year teaching biology, chemistry and forensic science at Central Falls High School.