The Pekin Professional Development School (PDS) is a partnership between Illinois State University and Pekin School District 108 that combines teacher education and school reform to improve student learning. 

Phase I

• Oreintate to the beginning of the year classroom activities
• Begin methods course work
• Experience a K-3, 4-6, or 7-8 classroom

Phase II

• Place in new grade level
• Continue methods instruction
• Experience a middle school setting
• Observe specialists in a variety of areas

Phase III & IV

• Begin in-depth student teaching
• Produce a quality professional portfolio
• Prepare for job fairs, job searches, and interviews

My Experience

I spent Phase I in a third grade classroom at Willow Primary School.  I observed my mentor teacher and quickly became involved in the classroom by helping and ending my time there by planning and delivering a week long math lesson.

Phase II was spent in a fourth grade classroom at Wilson Intermediate School.  The change from Primary to Intermediate School was very apparent to me.  I quickly realized how much home life seemed to affect the students' school work. Similar to Phase I, I observed and then became involved in the classroom by helping my mentor teacher, teaching lessons, and ending by planning and teaching some lessons the least two weeks.    Although it was difficult to see how some of the students struggled at home, it was a good experience for me to see how much teachers truly are role models and impact students beyond the curriculum taught at school.

I returned to my orignal third grade classroom for Phases III and IV.  I quickly started taking over planning and delivering lessons.  I took over one subject a week until I was teaching full time.  This semester provided me with the confidence I need to take on my own classroom in the future.  I also built a strong working relationship with my mentor teacher as well as other teachers in the building. 

My experience in the Pekin PDS provided me with opportunities of professional development, staff meetings, collaboration with teachers and interns, as well as providing me with the experience of being a full time teacher while having the support and guidance of my mentor teachers and liaison.  I am very fortunate to have had the chance to be a part of this wonderful program.