I am involved with the Pekin Professional Development school, a partnership with Illinois State University.  This is a year long student teaching program, which has allowed me to see the first days of school.  I feel these days are extremely important To be involved in the classroom an entire school year, instead of only one semester was a great experience.  This internship is broken into three phases. 

Phase I

• Begin methods coursework
• Spend seven weeks in primary, intermediate or middle school setting

Phase II

• Placed in a new grade level for seven weeks
• Continue methods instruction
• Observe specialists in a variety of areas

Phase III

• Begin in-depth student teaching experience
• Orientate to the beginning of the year classroom activities
• Produce a quality professional portfolio
• Develop standards-based lesson plans
• Prepare for job fairs, job searches, and interviews

 

From the beginning of the PDS program, I knew this was an excellent choice.  I feel being in the classroom since the beginning of the school year, has helped not only me, but also the students.  The students saw me as an authority figure and teacher who had been with them the entire year, not as a student teacher who came into the classroom in the middle of the year.  Being in the classroom from the beginning has made me feel like a more confident teacher.