Edgewood College, Madison Metropolitan School District: Partner on teacher preparation 

Madison, Wis. (February 23, 2024) – Edgewood College and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) have forged a partnership to provide MMSD employees with an opportunity to obtain a teaching license and earn a Master of Arts degree in education.

The Accelerated Teacher Residency program has been developed collaboratively with school leaders locally and across the State of Wisconsin. To date more than forty school districts and organizations have joined forces, seeking impactful solutions to address the teacher shortage. The fully online program allows employees of partnership districts to receive reduced tuition toward a master’s degree, as well as a Wisconsin teaching license.

The MMSD partnership includes pathways leading to credentials in the areas of elementary education, secondary education, cross categorical – special education, and bilingual – English as a Second Language (ESL).

“Over the past decade Wisconsin has seen a marked increase in the number of emergency teaching licenses issued by districts to address classroom shortages,” Andrew P. Manion, President of Edgewood College, said. “This initiative extends the mission of Edgewood College in a way that allows us to work with our colleagues in the Madison Metropolitan School District to ensure that we have the highest quality teachers within our own community.” Edgewood College was chartered in 1927 to equip young women to become teachers.

“This program is a clear demonstration of MMSD’s dedication and partnership around staff learning and development,” Madison Metropolitan School District Interim Superintendent Lisa Kvistad said. “It also honors our commitment to putting Kids First, by ensuring that our students will continue to benefit from access to the very best educators available.”

A highly qualified educator in each classroom, in every school, is a guiding principle for the partnership. Madison Teachers Incorporated (MTI) Executive Director Jeff Knight, and MTI President Michael Jones, said in a statement: “As a Union of educators, MTI appreciates the removal of financial and logistical barriers to help dedicated and qualified people join those of us already working to support children every day in MMSD. We anticipate this partnership with Edgewood College will provide consistent support, both financial and professional, to those aspiring to become classroom educators in highly needed fields. Through programs such as these, the focus must not only be on hiring staff, but also ensuring they receive the coaching, support, and compensation necessary to keep them in the profession.”

“We are appreciative of the opportunity to partner with the Madison Metropolitan School District to provide a pathway toward teaching,” Dr. Michael Meissen, Senior Director of Innovations and Partnerships at Edgewood College, said. “We are optimistic our teaming together with MMSD will be impactful in addressing a pressing need for highly qualified teachers in every classroom and each school.” Dr. Meissen has served as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent in public schools in Wisconsin, Michigan, and in Illinois for more than forty years.

About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students in 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career, and community. With more than 4,500 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong, and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

About Edgewood College

Located in Madison, Wis., Edgewood College is a liberal arts Catholic college in the Dominican tradition. We serve approximately 1,800 undergraduate and graduate students. The College offers more than 40 academic and professional programs, including master’s degrees in business, education, and nursing, and doctoral degrees in educational leadership, nursing practice, and business administration. For more information about Edgewood College, please visit www.edgewood.edu, or call Ed Taylor at 608-663-2333.