Gadsden School District benefits from funds to help advancement of teachers

 Gadsden Elementary School District (GESD) is one of nine in Arizona to benefit from a $3.7 million grant.

  Arizona State University, west campus, received the grant from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). It will provide school leadership training to nine high-poverty school districts around the state through the college's existing video conferencing network.

 "It is an exceptional partnership with ASU that is extremely important to this district," said Ray Aguilera, GESD superintendent.

 The DOE grant is for the college's Project ASPIRE and has its roots in a $10 million DOE award for the creation of the Professional Development Schools (PDS) program. PDS has been recognized nationally for its high level of success in areas of teacher retention and student achievement in underserved school districts.

 Said Aguilera, who oversees one preschool, six elementary and two junior high schools in the 5,000-student, 250 professional staff district that lies 20 miles southwest of Yuma on the U.S. Mexican border, "The majority of our positions have been filled internally, since outside candidates have not met our expectations."

 Aguilera also said that although the money is not directly sent to them, the funds go to pay for classes that are given locally in the classrooms set up specifically for this type of instruction and students do not have to travel long distances.

 "We have two classrooms completely equipped for the videoconference classes, what we call long-distance learning. At this time, we have no one enrolled, but anyone who is interested in assistant principal or principal position and has an associate's degree can apply to the program at no charge."

 According to information provided, the GESD has no personnel or funds to provide an effective training program for potential administrators.

  "We want the community to know we are proud because we are the only ones in Yuma County who offers this type of program," Aguilera added.

 The requirements to enter into the program are being part of the staff of GESD, having a degree and aspiring to career advancement, said Aguilera.

 "This collaboration with ASU and the teacher education college impacts course content and minimizes the gap between theory and practice," he said.

 Other districts that will benefit from the funds are three in Phoenix: Creighton School District, Osborn School District and Roosevelt School District; and six districts in rural areas: Chinle Unified, Coolidge Unified, Douglas Unified, Kingman Unified, Indian Oasis and Baboquivari School District.