SJSU program is two years long and stresses collaboration
n By Heather Bremner Staff Writer
Gilroy – Nine years ago when Marty Krovetz asked a group of teachers from Oak Grove and Campbell what they’d most like to see in a master’s program, the San Jose State University education leadership professor assumed the educators would list literacy and technique, as their top priorities.
But he was completely wrong.
“Over 100 said ‘we want to be more effective leaders,'” he said.
And that’s how SJSU’s collaborative master’s program came into being. The program, a partnership between a school district and the university, was first established in Oak Grove and Campbell. Four years ago, Gilroy Unified School District Superintendent Edwin Diaz, a former assistant superintendent in Oak Grove, brought the program here.
Two Aromas, 30 GUSD, 15 Hollister and 41 Santa Cruz teachers will receive their master’s through the SJSU-GUSD collaborative at a ceremony today at 4:30pm in Gilroy High School’s brand-new student center.
It will be their first official ceremony in the new facility. Two years ago, about 28 Gilroy teachers received master’s through the program.
The educators enrolled in the program two years and were required to complete a research project. Unlike many traditional master’s programs, which focus on the individual techniques of teaching, the SJSU program is based on cooperation. Krovetz even requires that at least three people from the same school sign up together.
Krovetz expects participants to teach for three years before enrolling in the program.
“We really want people to have a picture of how to really meet the needs of their students beyond the classroom,” he said.
South Valley Principal John Perales is a major proponent of the program, having graduated with the first Gilroy class. He attended with a cohort of Gilroy High School teachers.
“It’s a phenomenal experience,” he said. “You really dive into the meat of education, why you’re here.”
Perales said it serves as a forum for teachers, allows them to share their experiences, learn from others and study trends.
The collaborative element is essential because “none of us can be successful working alone,” he said. Perales also noted that in addition to receiving their master’s in education, participants earn the first part of their administrative credential.
“This is really good because it’s creating a leadership pool for Gilroy,” he said.
