Connection, coordination and collaboration.
Teachers and administrators from Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee Public Schools and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee have embraced these elements to transform the future of education in Milwaukee through their M³ (pronounced M-cubed) partnership.
Faculty and staff from the three institutions have met at least once a year since the M³ partnership began in 2017 to align curriculum in core academic disciplines — English language arts, math and science — and to emphasize key learning outcomes, such as soft skills.
In February, M³ educators met at MATC in the first face-to-face session since 2020. The sessions in 2021, 2022 and 2023 were virtual following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Faculty across the institutions engaged in collaborative discourse that enhanced their understanding of how and what our students learn throughout their educational experience,” said Dr. Julie Ashlock, director of MATC’s Center for Teaching Excellence. “These efforts are intended to improve student learning and student outcomes.”
The annual professional development day has been offered in various forms in the past, but the February event demonstrated the benefits of in-person collaboration, Dr. Ashlock said.
Participants were surveyed and satisfaction scores were improved from last year, Dr. Ashlock said. Educators appreciated the opportunity to reflect, share ideas, and discuss strategies with colleagues from their own schools and different institutions, she said.
The M³ Teaching and Learning group has begun planning the 2025 professional development day.
The group hopes to offer mini-grants to partnership faculty to conduct research that supports the goals of aligning and improving student learning outcomes.
“The goal would be to have these faculty showcase what they have learned and share any promising practices with their peers,” Dr. Ashlock said.
About M³ (M-Cubed): M³ seeks to transform the future of Milwaukee through education. Through collaboration, coordination and partnership, MPS, MATC and UWM will increase the retention, graduation and career success of our students and provide a prepared workforce and citizenry for the Wisconsin economy. M³ will also provide the education and resources to help drive an entrepreneurial mindset for all students to increase choices and opportunities for growth.
About MATC: Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 30,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.