What is the Professional Development School?

The Pekin Professional Development School (PDS) is a partnership between Illinois State University and District 108.  The intent of the PDS collaborative relationship is to provide an extended (year-long) internship to improve planning and preparation for preservice educators, by working collabortively with mentors and other district staff for the best experience possible.

What makes the PDS program special?

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

The partnership focuses on:

• Problem-based learning
• Technology-rich learning enviornments, Pekin Public School District 108 is nationally recongnized for its use of classroom technolgy, it was selected "Elementary Technoloyg School District of the Year" by the National School Board Association.
• Collaborative instructional strategies

The four phases of PDS

PHASE I (August-October):  The interns are acclimated to the district by being assigned a mentor (cooperating) teacher, and in the classroom through the beginning of the year.  This experience extends it's partnership in a K-3, 4-6, or 7-8 building.  Interns help setup the classroom for the new year and participate in curriculum night.  At curriculum night, the intern is able to meet the students and parents and introduce oneself.  Interns are in the classroom while taking their last methods courses for graduation twice a week.  Being in the classroom this early allows the intern to be immersed in the classroom and help out in small group, individual instruction, and observe different teaching strategies.

PHASE II (October-December):  This phase is similiar to phase I, except an intern is placed in a new grade level, along with a new mentor teacher.  During this phase, interns will still be taking their methods courses.

PHASE III/IV (January-May):  These are the final phases in the PDS program.  These phases the intern begins and ends their in-depth student teaching.  During phase III, the intern collaborates with their mentor teaching on the most beneficial way for the intern to have complete control over the classroom.  The intern remains in control through phase IV, until the intern graduates in May.  This phase is a time for the intern and mentor to form a "quality team" for the best supportive environment for their students.

The Benefits of the PDS

• Comprehensive year long internship
• Total immersion in the school culture
• Linkage between course content and teaching practice
• Quality Mentor-Intern team
• On-site methods course work
• Promotion of best practices
• Involvment in school-community relationships
• Intensive and extensive clinical experience
• Preparation for the "real" teaching world