Dr. Meganlyn Norris, assistant professor, Elementary, Middle Level, Library and Technologies Education, Kutztown University, and Dr. Shannon O’Donnell, principal, Schuylkill Valley Elementary School, have won the Exemplary P-20 Boundary Spanning award from the National Association for School-University Partnerships (NASUP). This competitive national award recognizes those who are exemplary at building and sustaining partnerships between schools and universities.
Norris and O’Donnell have a unique ability to bring people together. They’ve worked hand in hand to connect university research with classroom practices, creating opportunities for teachers to grow professionally and for university students to gain hands-on experience. Their efforts have led to real improvements in teaching and learning, bridging the gap between theory and practice in ways that benefit everyone involved.
They have been instrumental in the success of KU’s Teacher Leadership Academy, a program where educators earn an instructional coaching endorsement and incorporate their new learnings immediately into daily practice. Their guidance and expertise have been crucial to this initiative, positively impacting teachers, students and pre-service educators.
“This prestigious national award recognizes Dr. Norris’ and Dr. O’Donnell’s exceptional ability to build and sustain partnerships between schools and universities, which are essential in advancing education in Pennsylvania and beyond,” said Dr. Rebecca West Burns, dean, College of Education.
“Their collaborative efforts have been instrumental in developing teacher leaders, transforming teacher learning, improving school culture and climate, advancing literacy instruction and addressing the teacher shortage by preparing teacher candidates together. This recognition casts Kutztown University and our school partners, specifically Schuylkill Valley School District, as national leaders in education. It demonstrates our commitment to innovative and exemplary teaching practices, positioning us at the forefront of educational excellence.”
Through their inspiring leadership and shared vision, they have fostered a groundbreaking partnership between Schuylkill Valley Elementary School and Kutztown University, bridging the gap between K-12 and higher education. Norris and O’Donnell exemplify the transformative power of collaboration in education, making them exceptional nominees for the NASUP Boundary Spanner award.
“Partnerships between schools and universities are invaluable in fostering student growth, providing ongoing professional learning for teachers and for creating and empower current and future leaders in schools,” said Dr. Cathy Taschner, superintendent, Schuylkill Valley School District.
“The school-university partnership between Kutztown University and the Schuylkill Valley School District has created pathways to attract new teachers to the field of education, support aspiring teachers through mentorship with a teacher leader and provide a teacher leadership pathway that encourages teacher retention. Congratulations to Dr. O’Donnell and Dr. Norris for being nominated and chosen to receive the NASUP Boundary Spanner 2025 Award. Their leadership, supported by the work of the teachers in the Schuylkill Valley Teacher Leadership Academy, has been instrumental in sharing this important work with other teachers and educational leaders across the nation.”
Boundary spanners play a crucial role in school-university partnerships by working in a unique collaborative space that bridges the gap between universities and PK12 schools. They are not limited by the rules or responsibilities of any single institution. Instead, they operate in a “third space” that fosters discovery and experimentation, governed by ideas and ideals rather than traditions. These roles are essential for renewing a culture of teaching, learning, leading and schooling. Boundary spanners bring innovative ideas and practices to improve the learning experience for everyone involved in the partnership. Their work is integral to the operations of these partnerships, as they span boundaries between university and PK12 settings, assuming various roles that are defined by each partnership.
