PUBLIC ALLIES EAGLE ROCK

At Eagle Rock School & Professional Development Center in Estes Park, CO, teacher preparation is a critical element of the school’s mission and work. Director of Professional Development Sarah Bertucci oversees this program in partnership with national non-profit Public Allies. Each year, Eagle Rock brings on a new cohort of fellows who can earn their Colorado teaching license through the school’s alternative licensure program. In this episode we talk with Sarah about the program’s mission, goals, and approach. Plugs include the Teacher Powered Schools Conference, What School Could Be, Cultivating Genius by Gholdy Muhammad, and Open Way Learning. Music by Ketsa.

High school is tough for a lot of kids. The trudge through disconnected courses that seem irrelevant. The social scene is debilitating. Life challenges may include food and shelter insecurity. This combination of challenges, boredom, frustration, and social humiliation is more than they can take. Some ultimately drop out or look for an alternative.

This trimester marks the beginning of Jocelyn Rodriguez’ second year at Eagle Rock, where she formerly served as our Public Allies Fellow in Human Performance. Recently, she was asked to return as a full-time staff member, working in the new adjunct position of Eagle Rock athletic coordinator.

Dan Condon came to Eagle Rock as an intern in 1995. He returned in 2002 leading a fellowship program. Today, Condon leads the professional development center which provides pro bono experiences based on the Eagle Rock model. They serve as school change consultants to clients coast to coast using a mixture of improvement science and design thinking.

One of the major “perks” of becoming a part of our cohort of Public Allies Fellows at Eagle Rock is the opportunity to participate in a Colorado state alternative teacher licensure program, which is paid for by Eagle Rock.