Vision & Mission
The purpose of the Office of School Engagement (OSE) at the University of Georgia is to serve as a bridge between the worlds of theory and practice in P-16 public education in order to improve the educational experiences of students and the professional lives of educators.
We believe:
- Public education is the foundation of a democratic society and has as its purpose the provision of equal opportunity for all citizens
- Education is a complex profession which benefits from multiple perspectives and from collaboration among stakeholders
- All educators have expertise and make valuable contributions to the profession
- Learning and teaching are processes which are:
- Facilitated by on-going, respectful relationships
- Motivated by interest, purpose, and the opportunity for self-direction
- Supported by participation in a community
- Characterized by developmental, cultural and individual differences
Guided by these beliefs we promote:
- Opportunities for interaction and collaboration between P-12 schools and the College of Education with the goal of developing mutually beneficial partnerships
- Democratic decision making
- Civic engagement and service-learning
- Research that is rooted in problems of practice and the use of evidence to inform practice
- The inclusion of multiple perspectives and varying viewpoints in planning and decision making
- Opportunities for learners of all ages and stages to participate in inquiry and exploration
And therefore we:
- Support COE students and faculty as they become engaged in work with students, teachers and schools
- Respond to the interests and challenges of teachers, schools and districts by:
- Helping to clarify and frame problems, needs or interests
- Facilitating the construction of strategies to address challenges, meet needs, and explore interests
- Serving as a link to relevant resources
- Providing direct services or coordinated responses as appropriate
- Sponsor service-learning courses for UGA students in public schools
- Initiate work with schools and districts to create and participate in networks of engaged schools, including Professional Development Schools