UW Connects Students with Wyoming School Districts

Nearly 100 University of Wyoming College of Education students connected with school districts across Wyoming during the fourth annual District Residency Connections Fair earlier this month.

The event was hosted by the Wyoming School-University Partnership, with sponsorship from the UW College of Education Dean's Office, the College of Education Student Success Center and the college's School of Teacher Education.

The event gives College of Education students the opportunity to connect with school district leaders and education personnel, with the intent of exploring potential locations for future student teaching residency.

In addition to meeting with and hearing about opportunities in the 19 school districts that partner with UW for student teaching, students learned about university programs and resources in the state's pre- and K-12 system.

Students then attended a panel discussion to learn more about "Building a Meaningful Career in Rural Education." Panelists were Rock River School Principal Stacie Anfinson; Burns second-grade teacher Amber Barrett; Albany County School District 1 Chief Human Resources Officer Nathan Cowper; Washakie County School District 2 Superintendent Annie Griffin; Laramie County School District 2 Superintendent Justin Pierantoni; and current student teacher Kialie Staggs, of Lyman.

The participating school districts are Albany County 1; Big Horn County 1, Cowley; Big Horn County 2, Lovell; Carbon County 1, Rawlins; Carbon County 2, Saratoga; Converse County 1, Douglas; Fremont County 1, Lander; Fremont County 6, Pavillion; Goshen County 1, Torrington; Laramie County 1, Cheyenne; Laramie County 2, Pine Bluffs; Lincoln County 1, Kemmerer; Natrona County 1; Niobrara County 1; Platte County 2, Guernsey; Sheridan County 3, Clearmont; Sweetwater County 2, Green River; Uinta County 4, Mountain View; and Washakie County 2, Ten Sleep.

Other participants included UW's American Heritage Center, Anne Simpson Art Mobile, Science Initiative Roadshow and Wyoming Institute for Disabilities; the Wyoming Department of Education; the Wyoming Education Association; the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board; the Wyoming State Board of Education; the Wyoming State Library; the Wyoming State Museum; and Wyo Wonders.