What is the Pekin Professional Development School?

 

          The Pekin Professional Development School is a partnership with Illinois State University which allows education majors the opportunity to participate in a year long internship program. It is through this program where interns see the beginning of the school year through the end, and everything in between. Having been in the program, I am confident that I will be able to plan and implement standards-based lessons which are appropriate to level in any school setting.

          It is the purpose of the Pekin Professional Development School to create an exemplary learning environment that embraces innovation and the integration of best practices for children, interns, and faculties in a technologically oriented society. 

 

How the Pekin PDS has impacted me

           

           I had the choice to participate in the traditional student teaching or participate in the Pekin Professional Development School (PDS).  I believe that choosing the PDS was the best decision that I have made regarding my professional career.  I feel that after completing this program I will have the tools necessary to be a successful teacher. 

           PDS is an experience which will last well into the future years. I have seen first hand classroom management skills and have helped to create them.  I created my own classroom management plan and carried that plan until the end of my student teaching experience. I was given the opportunity to plan and implement various lessons while collaborating with school faculty members.

           I am grateful for the experiences that I have had throughout the course of this year. Next year, I will be entering a new district as a first year teacher, however, with a second year experience.