Teacher Education and School Change - NEIU, North Chicago: Professional development of faculty and teacher mentor training that will lead to school change and impact pre-service teacher education.
Teacher Education & Social Change
Faculty members from Northeastern Illinois University have been working with middle school and high school teachers from the North Chicago School District (187). This collaboration was established in order to provide professional development to experienced teachers, clinical placement opportunities for field and clinical experiences and whole school change leading to developing models of exemplary classrooms in high need environements in line with the IPLP goals to a “high needs” school district.
The focus of this collaboration has been twofold. Within the school district, the purpose has been to 1) implement NMSA “Turning Points” in grades 6-9; 2) enhance the articulation between middle and high school teachers in the district; and 3) improve reading and writing skills integration for students district-wide. Reciprocally and directly linking with IPLP university cohorts, the purpose has been to 4) place cohort students in early field experiences in the district.
Within the district, the most notable change that has occurred has been the reorganization of District 187 into one district where there had formerly been two: one for grades Pre-K through 8 and one for grades 9 though 12. This change has already brought teachers from both the middle school and the high school together for meetings. A direct intervention for the district students has been the establishment of a Summer Transition Program. This program furthers the fulfillment of purpose 2 and 3 above. Additionally, IPLP cohort students have had early field and clinical experiences in the district.
Documentation includes integrated curricular projects developed by middle school teachers, videotapes and photos of middle school teachers' presentations at various conferences, videotapes and photos of Summer Transition Program, analysis of test results from the program, and pertinent course materials. A strong teacher leadership group has emerged. This group of teacher leaders have collected data on student achievement, persistence and graduation, developed a new teacher mentoring program and a high school Freshman Cohort Initiative.
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cgehrie@attbi.com
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