University and School for the Deaf and Blind
Partnership Experience
Deb Bracke, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Augsutana
College, deborahbracke@augustana.edu
One of the challenges facing education programs is the
question of how to effectively prepare teacher candidates for an
increasingly diverse student population. Research suggests that
community-based experiences with diverse learners are essential to
effective teaching.
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Hence, a critical purpose of any teacher
education program is to ensure that students are able to understand
the multiplicity of differences (and similarities) among the students
they will encounter. The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St.
Augustine, Florida, provided a venue for this enriched learning
opportunity.
In February, 2016, six students from Augustana College in
Rock Island, Illinois spent a week at the Florida School for the Deaf
and Blind. They were immersed in a variety of high impact learning
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