Get REAL! Responsive Education for All Learners receives continued support from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation

Mary D. Burbank, Assistant Dean and Director of the Urban Institute for Teach Education (UITE) is pleased to announce an award from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation. Funding of nearly one million dollars will continue the collaborative efforts established through a first year of the Get REAL! initiative. In alignment with College goals for research, teaching, and community engagement, Get REAL! – Phase I included the development of a communication platform, Get REAL! website, preservice teacher education field experiences, and professional development.

Get REAL! - Phase II underscores the critical work of partnerships in education steeped in a commitment to education for all children. Get REAL! provides beginning and veteran teachers with classroom-based training using curricula, technology-informed simulations and modules, and the insights of practicing educators on quality teaching in contemporary classrooms. Get REAL! embodies academic possibilities  for all students in Pre-K-6 classrooms through Montessori principles and practices.

Key elements of Get REAL! - Phase II reflect collaboration across stakeholders, including partnerships between Rose Park Elementary School in the Salt Lake City School District, Elizabeth Academy, and the College of Education. Get REAL!  showcases the critical benefits when public-private educators join forces in ways that build upon the strength of each community. 

Phase II will provide opportunities for research including but not limited to teacher preparation, innovative models for supervision, inservice teacher professional development, and teaching and learning in diverse, PreK-6 classrooms. The ripple effects of this work will impact PreK-12 teacher preparation at the University of Utah, as well as those locally and nationally.

We are grateful to the Sorenson Legacy Foundation for the opportunity to continue our partnership.

For additional information, contact Mary D. Burbank at mary.burbank@utah.edu