When universities and school districts work together, they create powerful opportunities to strengthen teaching, learning, trust and community impact. These collaborations strengthen pipelines and bridge research and practice—ensuring that educators, students and families all benefit from shared knowledge, innovative approaches and a unified commitment to equity and excellence in education. Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is actively engaged in this work.
This October, CEHD Dean Monika Williams Shealey represented Temple University at two prominent education leadership events focused on strengthening collaborations between higher education institutions and public school systems.
At the District Administration Leadership Institute (DALI) Superintendents Summit, held Oct. 15–17 in Palm Springs, California, Dean Shealey joined School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr. and University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Dean Katharine Strunk in a discussion titled “Powering Public Education through Higher Learning Partnerships.” The summit convened some of the nation’s top education leaders to share innovative strategies for addressing district challenges and promoting student success.
Additionally, this event served as an opportunity for attendees to enhance leadership skills, expand their professional network, learn from the shared experiences of like-minded peers and find innovative solutions to the challenges that school districts face every day.
The conversation continued in Philadelphia during the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) Fall Conference, where Dean Shealey was again joined by Superintendent Watlington and Dean Strunk for a fireside chat at the Kimmel Center’s Hamilton Garden. The event brought together urban education leaders from across the country to explore how partnerships between universities and public school districts can drive systemic improvement and equitable outcomes.
Dean Shealey emphasized Temple’s deep and growing partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, describing it as central to the CEHD’s mission and impact.
“Our college has a long history of supporting the School District of Philadelphia,” said Dean Shealey. “In recent years, we have become more intentional about aligning our strategic priorities to make a greater impact with the students, educators and leaders in the district. Working collaboratively with Penn GSE and the School District of Philadelphia, we can go further in advancing equitable educational opportunities in the city.”
Dean Shealey added, “We hope in sharing our transformative work that we are able to fuel similar partnerships across the country and develop a model that results in more positive outcomes for students and families in cities like Philadelphia.”
Dean Shealey’s participation in both events underscores the CEHD’s commitment to educating, supporting and preparing learners and leaders to advance equitable systems and practices in schools and communities. Through research, teaching, service and collaboration, the CEHD continues to create positive change throughout Philadelphia and beyond.