Eight educators have become the first graduates of the Institute for Learning Partnership’s innovative Professional Development Certificate (PDC) program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

The PDC program was launched in the summer of 1999 through a partnership between the WEA Professional Development Academy and the UW System. UW-Green Bay is the first institution to implement it.

Experienced teachers can use PDC courses to rejuvenate their careers; earn credits toward relicensure, a master’s degree, or National Board certification; and in some cases to obtain pay raises.

Receiving the first certificates were: Robert Kleckner of Two Rivers; Diane Schmidtke of Pulaski; and Marcy Levine, Maureen Mulloy, Todd Naze, Therese Waldkirch, Jaelene Wentland and Joyce White-Langemak of Green Bay.

“Now that we have eight educators in three northeast Wisconsin school districts completely through the program, we will begin to see the impact of their professional growth in our classrooms,” said PDC coordinator Lynn Gerlach.

Noting that the PDA originally developed the concept of a Profession-al Development Certificate for Wisconsin, Gerlach said, “Now that organization can see the fruits of its labors.”

“As certification rules evolve, non-traditional programs of professional development for educators are going to spring up all over the state,” she said. “The PDA has taken responsibility for reviewing those programs and, through its endorsement, providing an indication of their merit and credibility. This step is important in an era of change.”

PDA President Julie Hannon serves on the Institute’s PDC steering committee. The PDA has established a statewide Quality Control Board to review other PDC programs that are being developed. WEAC members serve on that board and have input on the structure and operation of the programs, said PDA Director Deb Berndt.

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Eight ambitious educators make up the first graduating class from the the Institute for Learning Partnership's Professional Development Certificate (PDC) program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. They are: (left to right, front row) Jaelene Wentland, Green Bay; Marcy Levine, Green Bay; Joyce White-Langemak, Green Bay; Todd Naze, Green Bay; (back row) Therese Waldkirch, Green Bay; Robert Kleckner, Two Rivers; Diane Schmidtke, Pulaski; and Maureen Mulloy, Green Bay.

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Posted October 5, 2000