Teacher preparation programs are facing increasing pressure to equip future educators for success in their future classrooms. At the same time, K–12 teachers—both veteran and early-career—are navigating mandated standards, policy changes, and challenging educational landscapes that are not always fully visible within higher education spaces. This lightning round session brings college faculty in teacher preparation programs together with K–12 educators for a focused, structured conversation centered on one core question: What would most help us better prepare and support teachers for success right now?

Designed as an interactive exchange rather than a traditional presentation, this session will invite participants to share key challenges, pose questions, and identify areas where collaboration between higher education and K–12 educators can be strengthened. Panelists will ask participants: What do you see as being key issues early career educators face? In what ways can we more fully equip them while in our programs? What do you wish you had been told before embarking on your career in education?

By centering the lived experiences of classroom teachers alongside the goals of teacher preparation programs, this session aims to garner practical insights, build connections, and generate ideas for program improvement and sustained partnership. Faculty in teacher preparation programs from New Jersey and Texas will discuss the inherent value of collaboration with our K-12 peers, including one K-12 panelist who works directly with faculty in Texas and is currently pursuing a masters in Curriculum and Instruction for the purpose of advancing teacher-scholar partnerships to strengthen both university programs and K-12 classrooms. Additionally, the session seeks to build upon earlier dialogue between these same faculty members and K-12 educators in attendance at the National Council for the Social Studies. Together we can work toward a common goal of improving our current programs and building valuable connections in our educational community.