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 grade levels in any school setting.

 

The program allowed me to work with a diverse group of students, collaborate with colleagues, learn how to be flexible, and work with different forms of technology.  Throughout my whole year, I participated in school district retreats, meet the teacher night, parent-teacher conferences, school improvement days, grade level meetings, at risk meetings, and working with an amazing group of teachers and other staff members.  The program consists of four phases.

Phase 1:  I worked in a third grade classroom for two days a week while the other three days were spent finishing up my final methods courses.  In this placement, I worked side by side with my mentor teacher.  At this point, I planned a few lessons as I settled into the classroom environment and I was also able to assist my teacher in multiple ways.  I gave spelling tests, helped students one on one, and graded papers. 

 

Phase 2:  At this stage, I was still continuing with my ISU courses but I had moved into a sixth grade classroom where I gained experience working with middle school aged children.  I continued to work with my mentor side by side, while implementing a few of the lessons that I had planned.  I still gave spelling tests, worked one on one with students, and graded papers. 

 

Phase 3:  Once January began, my formal student teaching began.  I went back into my third grade classroom from Phase 1, where I planned and implemented standard based lessons while also collaborating with my mentor and other colleagues.  Unlike the regular student teaching placements, I started planning from day one and continued on for six weeks.    

 

Phase 4:  In the middle of March, I switched back into my sixth grade classroom.  I planned and instructed standard based lessons while also collaborating with my mentor and other colleagues. I decided to participate in a dual placement to obtain experience at various age levels. I am continually learning how to become the most effective teacher possible.

 

The Pekin PDS program has given me confidence to be an effective and well-prepared classroom teacher.  This has been an unforgettable journey and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to experience it.