District highlights Kutztown partnership, approves $2,400 training on American Reading Company materials

District staff used the Feb. 24 meeting to highlight a multi‑year partnership with Kutztown University that supports teacher induction and coaching endorsements, and the board approved a separate professional development contract to increase teacher familiarity with American Reading Company (ARC) resources.

Jenny Rexroad described the new teacher induction program run in conjunction with Kutztown University, which embeds a cohort model into the school day so new teachers meet weekly with a Kutztown faculty member to study pedagogy. She said the program provides early, low‑pressure coursework and supports retention and growth.

Rexroad also described a high‑school coaching endorsement cohort in which veteran, mid‑career and new teachers presented at the National Association of School and University Partnerships (NASUP) conference. Dr. Shannon O'Donnell said elementary staff presentations and a Pecha Kucha luncheon appearance highlighted the district's pipeline work and resulted in positive attention for the partnership.

Separately, the board approved a $2,400 addendum to provide targeted training on ARC's online resources after teachers reported they were not fully familiar with all materials. "We had initial training, but the ongoing monthly trainer has not covered the online resources," the presenter said. The training is scheduled as a 90‑minute session for elementary and secondary teachers during a conference day and will be led by ARC‑affiliated trainers or district‑arranged experts.

The motion to approve the ARC professional development passed unanimously, 9–0.