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 faculties in a technologically oriented society.
The Pekin Professional Development School is a partnership between Illinois State University and Pekin School District 108. Teacher candidates are given the opportunity during their senior year to participate in a year long internship program. During this year, student teachers are completely immersed in the school district.
Phase I
- Orientation to the beginning of 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 fair, job searches, and interviews
PDS has been such a huge part of my development as a future educator. I feel that I am more than prepared to have my own classroom, and am confident in that I will succeed in this profession. I will continue to grow and reflect on my daily experiences in the classroom and hope to maintain and grow professional relationships.
“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 faculties in a technologically oriented society.” (Pekin PDS Web site)
The Pekin Professional Development School is a partnership between Illinois State University and Pekin School District 108. Teacher candidates are given the opportunity during their senior year to participate in a year long internship program. During this year, student teachers are completely immersed in the school district.
There are four phases throughout the year:
Phase 1
- Seven week experience.
- Intern assists mentor teacher in the classroom three days a week.
- Intern completes twelve hours of methods course work two days a week.
Phase 2
- Same as Phase one, except intern moves to another classroom in a different grade.
Phase 3 &4
- Sixteen week student teaching phases.
- Intern returns to his or her Phase 1 placement.
- Intern and Mentor create a “Quality Team” partnership. They work together to provide a positive classroom environment that focuses on the needs of the students.
- Partnership between mentor and intern allows the intern to have an in-depth student teaching experience.
The benefits of participating in a PDS program are immense.
- Comprehensive year long internship
- Total immersion in school district
- Opportunities for practice, reflection, and collegiality
- Linkage between course content and teaching practice
- Involvement in school-community relationships
- Promotion of best practices
- Preparation for the “real” teaching world
