Part of Illinois State University’s vision is its commitment to the development of global citizens. The Laboratory Schools programs are of interest to many, both here in the United States and around the world.

In an effort to foster relationships with educators around the world the Laboratory Schools recently hosted visitors from Spain, Russia, and Murray State University. Our international visitors have provided insight to education in their countries, while our guests from Murray State were provided resources to help them replicate our curriculum as they contemplate starting their own laboratory school.

Russian visitors

On October 12, 2015, the Laboratory Schools welcomed visitors from Vladimir University in Russia. Guests were provided with a brief history of our schools, discussion of the purpose and mission, explained why the Laboratory Schools exist, as well as a tour and observation of our teachers and students. Instrumental to their visit was the manner in which the Laboratory Schools incorporate clinical students into the life of both Thomas Metcalf School and University High School.

Visitors from Spain

Continuing with the international theme, educators from the Gredos Centre in Madrid, Spain, visited on December 2–3.

Principal Andrea Markert, Principal Amy Fritson Coffman, and Superintendent Jeff Hill met the group and provided them with tours of both Metcalf and University High School. Information was provided about our students, faculty and curriculum. There were also discussions about a variety of opportunities to collaborate with Gredos.

There is a lot of excitement about this potential partnership!

Murray State visitors

Closer to home, the Laboratory Schools were delighted to host former Redbird Julie Stayton from Murray State University.

Murray State University is interested in developing its own laboratory school, and Stayton is particularly interested in the middle school level. She spent the day observing the Lab Schools’ middle school program and discussing middle school issues with our team at Thomas Metcalf School: Fred Basolo, April Davenport, Andy Goveia, and Amanda Stalets. In addition to their focus on middle school, they shared information about how to balance the needs of clinical students with those of the middle school students.

It was great to share this information with Stayton in the hopes of launching another laboratory school.