Elementary Education Program Teacher Preparation

The Elementary Education Program models an innovative approach to teacher preparation. The Professional Development School (PDS) program provides an entire year of internship for students and during that year they become part of the school. They are able to do scaffolded substitute teaching and gain experience in every aspect of being a teacher. At the same time, university faculty members (tenure track faculty) spend one full day each week in their designated school, also becoming part of the school culture. [This practice is innovative because faculty members are given one course release per semester to be able to do this intense participation.]