Pekin PDS
In Partnership with Illinois State University
Pekin, IllinoisPekin Public Schools, District 108Pekin District 108 and Illinois State University have partnered in the Professional Development School since 1999. Over 500 ISU interns have participated in the year-long program, and countless Pekin students have benefited from having a second teacher in their classroom.
|
"The PDS program gave me the opportunity to be a part of the district. Attending the district meetings and building meetings let me see how to be a professional within the district." - Pekin PDS Graduate
|
"The first day that I walked into the school, people treated me as another teacher and not just a student teacher...In 108 everyone was so friendly and willing to really help me grow." - Pekin PDS Graduate
|
"The PDS program was the best decision I could have made for my future in education. I have learned so much and will carry this knowledge with me for the rest of my teaching career."
- Pekin PDS Graduate
Experience the Beginning of the School Year
A distinct advantage of the PDS program is experiencing first hand how the school year begins. Interns help set up the classroom before school starts and spend the entire first week of school in the classroom. They learn how to structure the first days of school to promote student engagement and positive student interactions.
Graduates of the program tell us how much more prepared they feel beginning their first year of teaching after observing how Pekin teachers begin the year.
Graduates of the program tell us how much more prepared they feel beginning their first year of teaching after observing how Pekin teachers begin the year.
Time in the Classroom...All year long
PDS Interns are in classrooms from before school starts to the second week of May. They are immersed fully in our schools, participating in school and district events.
"PDS has made me feel like I have already taught a year. I've learned so much from both of my mentors, my professors, and my supervisor. I feel confident in my ability to plan effective lessons! I also think I have improved with classroom management."
- Pekin PDS Graduate |
"The PDS program helped me grow professionally this year because of the year-long teaching experience. I already feel like I was a first-year teacher. Being able to meet and be with my students since August really helped me with my instruction, planning, and preparation. I was also able to see how a full year runs from the beginning stages until the end."
- Pekin PDS Graduate |
Mentors and Students benefit, too!
We always have more mentors apply than we have interns available. Our teachers value the program and the benefits it provides.
"It's been great to have that extra teacher in the room to help struggling students, to share guided-reading groups, and to have the opportunity to work with smaller groups and give more one-on-one time."
- Mentor teacher "I have had a clear jump in student growth...particularly in literacy (which my student teacher began co-teaching pretty early on in the year)."
- Mentor teacher |
"One time I was struggling with math, and I did not get what to say or put on paper. So I told my intern, and she said, 'Don't worry, I'll help you.' She explained it, and eventually it started to make sense! Like I said, interns are so helpful and kind!!"
- Student "I like having interns in my classroom because they help you a lot, and they care just like other teachers."
- Student |
Administrator Support
The administrators in our district welcome ISU interns and treat them as part of their staff. Every year administrators assemble to hold mock interviews with the interns and debrief with them afterwards.
"The ISU/District 108 PDS collaboration has been a fantastic partnership, benefiting our students, mentors, interns, and the district as a whole. The year-long experience has produced many top-notch, quality candidates, and I am thrilled to have been able to hire seven former interns over the past three school years."
- Principal, District 108 |
|
Come join us for Pekin PDS!
If you are interested in finding out more about the ISU/Pekin108 partnership, please click below for contact information.
We would love to speak with you!
We would love to speak with you!