It starts with one: Leading change and forming partnerships for teacher preparation and pedagogical change

In the past decade in the Physics \& Astronomy Department at UNC-Chapel Hill we have undertaken a dramatic transformation of our introductory physics courses, and have established a program to train high school physics teachers where none existed before at our institution. While we have not yet completed all the changes we have decided to make (stay tuned!), we have come far enough for me to draw some lessons on how such substantial improvement and innovation can best be accomplished. One important lesson is that if the changes are to be broad in scope and impact, and are to be sustainable in the long term, it is necessary to work with partners within and beyond one's department.