Partnerships
Area Partnerships and Projects
EHS works with area school districts, public and private entities and institutions, and agencies to create partnerships that will advance our mutual goals for a stronger, healthier, more democratic community.
The concept of simultaneous renewal lies at the heart of all our partnerships sought and fostered by EHS, that is that each party working collaboratively readily gains mutual, tangible benefits from the work.
Over the years, EHS has established the partnerships described here and seeks to extend its reach, where possible, in support of the wider community and its goals.
Talawanda-Miami Partnership
Based on rigorously collaborative, mutually beneficial commitments and projects, the Partnership between Talawanda Schools and Miami University continues to thrive. Thousands of students, faculty members and community advocates from both sides work together to improve public education, enhance opportunities for college students to serve the wider educational community and to cultivate new possibilities in our work together.
The Partnership Committee, made up of members from the Talawanda and Miami communities, meets monthly throughout the school year to monitor activities within the partnership, to discuss new directions and to provide a forum for concerns. Over the years, the body has negotiated and established bylaws and works across multiple constituencies to continue the work of the partnership.
Urban Cohort
EHS has worked to conceptualize and support the earliest iterations of an urban cohort in Tom Dutton's Over the Rhine Residency Program and in the current work being conducted by Tammy Schwartz to build a systematic connection for students interested in urban teaching into Miami's programs in teacher education and licensure. The school districts immediately partnering on the urban cohort project are Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Middletown.
The Urban Cohort is a community-based approach to teacher education. Miami faculty and Urban Cohort students collaborate with high-needs schools and community-based organizations to prepare teachers who are grounded in the life of the community.
—Miami University Director of The Urban Cohort, Tammy Schwartz
Community Partnerships
EHS works closely with area social service agencies and other institutions to offer support and programming across the region. The following entities have working affiliations with EHS:
Each year, among other projects, EHS and the Family Resource Center work with Talawanda Schools and the United Way to offer a Back to School Celebration during which all students on free and reduced lunch are offered school supplies to begin their year along with a new backpack.
EHS works each year on the Back to School Celebration and for the first time in 2009 The First Tee youth leadership program. First Tee uses the framework of the sport of golf to teach character and leadership. EHS sponsored scholarships and assisted in the planning of the weeklong program.
OCAC partners with Miami to sponsor the Sandy Hormell Book Celebration in its venue each fall and co-sponsors and delivers an After School Art program at its site for elementary students during the academic year.
Made up of the Oxford Rotary, Masons, Kiwanis and Lions Clubs, the OCSC conducts the Summer Harvest Food Drive each spring in association with Kiwanis Pancake Day. Citizens donated nearly $2,000 and food stuffs last year that were donated to the Oxford Community Choice Pantry.
EHS works with area service organizations to network services for individuals and groups throughout the Talawanda Region.
The largest benefactor of the Sandy Hormell book Celebration, The Friends organization is a longtime sponsor of and donor to youth educational activities.
Founded in 2005, the board of the affiliation works with both institutions to plan programs and to foster goodwill.
Founded in 2009, the board of the affiliation works with both institutions to plan programs and foster goodwill.
Published Works
- Poetter, T.S., & Eagle, J. (2009). The Art and Science of Partnership: Catalytic Cases of School, University, and Community Renewal. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
- Poetter, T.S., & Rotuno-Johnson, R. (2009). Creating institutional memory for this journal: Opening calisthenics. Education in a Democracy, 1 (October), pp. 7-14.
- Poetter, T.S., & Eagle, J. (2008). Getting down to the curriculum: Partnership interventions that impact school and university curricula. The Journal of Scholarly Partnerships, 2(1), pp. 25-42.
- Bueschel, E, & Poetter, T. (2007). Community engagement as catalyst for change in school-university partnerships. Catalyst for Change, 35(1), pp. 22-25.
