January 2025 | Updates from the Partnership

January 2025 | The Latest Updates from WSUP

Happy new year! We hope you are as excited as we are to tackle everything public education in 2025. Learn more about the education bills in the 2025 legislative session, new and existing mentoring programs, upcoming professional development for educators, and much more. Cheers!

Partnership Specific

Governing Board Meetings

Our next Governing Board meeting will be held on Tuesday April 29, 2025 with time TBD. Please review January's materials and if you weren't able to attend a Zoom recording has been uploaded to the drive so you can stay current on what is happening. We are still working on a the PDF version of the minutes which will be added to the drive and sent out via email once finished.

Photo of Chase Christenson leading a workshop at the 307 PLA Conference.

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Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals Apprenticeship Program

The Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals (WASSP) is excited to offer an apprenticeship for aspiring principals which is registered through the Department of Labor. The apprenticeship is open to any educator working toward or planning on achieving their principal certification. Apprentices will receive a principal mentor and access to potential funding through the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services apprenticeship grants. Candidates should visit with their superintendent, who will submit a nomination to WASSP. The Partnership's governing board voted to support this initiative in our January meeting.

WSUP's Project Coordinator featured as Alumnus Highlight in UW's COJO Newsletter

WSUP's senior project coordinator Nicholas Jesse was featured in the Winter 2025 edition of the University of Wyoming's Communication and Journalism Department's newsletter as the alumnus highlight for his work with the Partnership, at the University, and in the greater Laramie community.

Public Education and the Legislative Session

The State of Wyoming 68th Legislature is currently in general session and there is a slate of education bills being considered by the legislative body. Take a moment to connect with resources from Wyoming Education Association, Wyoming School Boards Association, and others to ensure you stay informed on how this legislation could affect public education in Wyoming.

Wyoming Education Association's Legislative Hub

Wyoming School Boards Association's Advocacy Page

Wyoming Legislature's Live and Archived Video Library

Photo of College of Education Dean Jenna Shim.

Stay informed about everything happening at the University of Wyoming College of Education.

Get Updates

Photo of Inaugural Wyoming Teacher Mentor Corps Cohort.

WTMC Cohort 4 Nominations

Nominations for Cohort 4 of the Wyoming Teacher Mentor Corps (WTMC) are now open. WTMC is striving to have 50 teacher mentors in this cohort, so please start identifying teachers in your districts who you would like to participate in this opportunity.

Submit a Nomination

The PrePARE program currently has several districts who have committed to hosting PrePARE students, but they are always looking to extend their reach in the state. If you are interested in participating in the PrePARE Program, please email Tiffany Hunt and Jen Krause. For additional information about the PrePARE program, please review the linked flier and/or short presentation. Additionally, they will be reaching out to PrePARE partner districts soon to schedule an informational meeting and potential virtual student meet and greet.

PrePARE Program Updates

As we move into student teacher placement selection for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, the PrePARE program is recruiting new PrePARE students and partner districts interested in hosting them. PrePARE students are dual majors in Elementary & Special Education who serve as paraprofessionals while taking methods courses online in the school where they will student teach. Consequently, PrePARE students extend their residency experiences (typically 16 weeks) by an additional full semester. These students work with their mentor teachers and students from day one of the school year and benefit from building relationships with colleagues, students, and families, while building their skills as educators over the course of an entire school year.

Photo of WY State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.

Stay informed about everything happening at the Wyoming Department of Education.

Stay in the Know

Upcoming Conferences and PD Opportunities

Photo for Educator Summit on Global Competency.

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Educator Summit on Global Competency Call for Proposals

The Summit on Global Competency will take place May 19-20, 2025 and is a collaboration between Center for Global Studies, College of Education, Education Abroad, and Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching. Proposals for concurrent session presentations are now being accepted as part of the Educator Summit on Global Competency, a conference that explores global competencies in education at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. Proposals are encouraged from educators and administrators at all levels.

Submit a Proposal

Wyoming's Future of Learning Virtual Opportunities

Wyoming's Future of Learning initiative will host two sessions in February. Educators, leaders, and community partners are all invited to participate.

February 11 | Tools for Transformation: Technology to Support Student-Centered Learning - Participants will learn how technology can enhance student-centered learning at the systems level.

February 13 | Leveraging AI to Support Student-Centered Instructional Practices - Participants will explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education while maintaining a focus on human-centered learning experiences.

Photo of student using a Virtual Reality headset.

Learn More about the Future of Learning

Educational Resources & Student Experiences

Image with different badges that can be earned from the Innovation Wyrkshop.

Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

The Innovation Wyrkshop at the University of Wyoming and the Department of Workforces services have teamed up to offer three pre-apprenticeship programs. These free, asynchronous programs are designed for anyone interested in learning more about careers in manufacturing, construction, and healthcare. Each pathway consists of approximately 30 courses that cover both soft skills and technical aspects, including machinery used in each field. The goal is to help students explore their career options while gaining valuable skills that can support their future career or educational endeavors.

Learn More

Inspire a Kid Camps

Applications are now open for Inspire a Kid Camps funded by the Wyldlife Fund and hosted at the Little Jennie Ranch in Bondurant, Wyoming. The camps are open to boys and girls ages 12-15 and offer a unique opportunity to explore the wildlife and cultural heritage of Wyoming, while learning about efforts to conserve and protect the state's natural resources. The camps also provide youth with time for self-reflection and personal growth.

Learn More

Photo of prominent figures in Wyoming Black History

Just a reminder that February is Nationally Recognized as Black History Month. This year we want to focus on providing fact-based, historical and educational resources from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Learn More

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