The USU Collaboratory for Innovation in Teaching and Leadership was created in partnership with the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation to enrich and support the careers and development of Utah's teachers. The Emma Eccles Jones Foundation is deeply committed to supporting educators, ensuring teachers continue to thrive beyond their training at Utah State University.
This is achieved through four strategic objectives designed to strengthen teaching and leadership in Utah schools:
Early Career Teachers Academy
Utah Model Schools
School Leaders Network
Statewide Learning Teams
- When teachers thrive, students benefit.
- Teachers do amazing things when they're supported and encouraged to innovate.
- Teachers have unique perspectives on their students' needs and how to meet them.
- Connecting teachers across school and district boundaries creates new and meaningful opportunities for professional learning.
- Teachers are more likely to remain in the profession when they feel valued, connected, supported, and inspired.
Through the Early Career Teachers Academy (ECTA), a seamless transition from college to career for USU teaching graduates is developed within a supportive learning community facilitated by master teachers. The Collaboratory provides autonomy over professional learning through its Model Schools conferences and Statewide Learning Teams (SWLTs). Increased autonomy over teacher practices and school development is a focus of the School Leaders Network (SLN).