The Pekin PDS is a year long program offered through Illinois State University.  It is a partnership with the Pekin Elementary School District 108 and Illinois State.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to participate in this beneficial program from August until May of this year.

        The program allowed me to work with a diverse group of students, collaborate with colleagues, learn to be flexible, and work with different forms of technology.  Throughout my whole year, I participated in the beginning of school district retreats, meet the teacher night, parent-teacher conferences, school improvement days, grade level meetings, the young author's convention, field trips, and working with an amazing group of teachers and other staff members.

        Phase 1: I worked in my fifth grade classroom with my mentor teacher.  I was involved with one-on-one teaching and small group instruction. These are the same students I would eventually student teach. I was also taking my last four college method courses.

        Phase 2: While I was still taking my method courses, I entered a third grade classroom in order to work with primary-aged students.

        Phases 3&4: When January arrived, I went back to my fifth grade classroom to start student teaching. I slowly took over all of the subject areas. I planned and instructed standards-based learning while also collaborating with my mentor teacher and other collegues.

The Pekin PDS has given me the confidence to be an effective classroom teacher. I feel that I will be extremely prepared for next year!