When I decided to participate in the Pekin Professional Development School I was not fully aware of all the advantages this internship had to offer. Being in a classroom for an entire school year provided me with an experience that has made me more confident in the abilitiy to manage my own classroom and teach. In addition, it was beneficial to gain experience in two different grade levels.   

I am truly grateful for the experiences I have had and for the people I have met. I have had support and gained a wealth of knowledge from my liaisons, mentors, fellow interns and colleagues at the schools, all of whom have helped make this an awarding experience. 

The PDS program thoroughly prepared me for the challenges of teaching through its excellent training. I feel well-prepared and excited to have my own classroom and start my teaching career.