READ Piedmont: Authentic School-Based PDS Activities PDS Mini Conference Authentic School-Based PDS Activities: What’s the Result? March 17 th, 2011 University Meadows Elementary School Dee Gardner, Principal Dawn Johnston, Academic Facilitator/IB Coordinator Adriana L. Medina, University/PDS Liaison

PDS Piedmont READ 3255 –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Student Teacher –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Recent Opportunities –Principal Fellows Visit Current and Future Professional Development Activities

PDS Piedmont READ 3255 –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Student Teacher –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Recent Activity –Principal Fellows Visit Current and Future Professional Development Activities

READ Piedmont Dr. Adriana Medina –UNC Charlotte, College of Education, Department of Reading and Elementary Education READ 3255 Integrating Reading and Writing in the Content Areas –Purpose of course is to teach preservice teachers how to teach the reading and writing skills necessary for their students to comprehend the content area subject matter.

READ Piedmont What Piedmont Offers –Content area classrooms and teachers –Rigorous curriculum –High accountability –Observing high quality teachers –Jumping into education What UNCC Students Offer –Committed to education –Self-learners, self- starters –Content area experts

READ Piedmont Requirements –Interview teacher and interview students –Assess students using a content area reading inventory (pre- and post-assessment) –Prepare lesson plans Three pronged Every session Collected and evaluated –Assist teachers –Be observed by teachers and professor

READ Piedmont Importance –Help preservice teachers have positive experiences These early positive experiences are essential if teachers are to remain in the profession –Assists these students in coping with the practicalities of Teaching Managing groups of students Adjusting to a school environment

PDS Piedmont READ 3255 –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Student Teacher –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Recent Activity –Principal Fellows Visit Current and Future Professional Development Activities

Research Pre-service teachers’ pre- and post- perceptions of learning experiences in a PDS The purpose of this study was to examine preservice teachers’ pre- and post- perceptions of the learning experiences gained through a methods course offered onsite at a PDS.

Research Question Is there a shift in pre-service teachers’ perceptions about this course from the beginning of the semester to the end of the course? (Pre to Post Shift)

Sample There were 15 students enrolled in the Fall 2009 semester and all agreed to participate in the study. –Two males and thirteen females All of the participants were in the Middle/Secondary Education program with a content area of focus of either English (5), Science (4), Math (4), Social Studies/History (2), or Special Education (1) or any combination.

Findings Pre-Perceptions –Apprehension It’s possible that all students feel apprehension at the beginning of a course. However, these students didn’t express apprehension about reading and writing assignments as much as they did expressed apprehension about working with students, needing direction, finding self-confidence, and persevering outside of their comfort zones. Post-Perceptions –Overwhelmed –Sense of Confidence –Reflective Shift –Course: Process vs. Product –Students: Debunk stereotypes Because of this shift in perceptions, we need to offer more classes on site before student teaching. A PDS site is the perfect setting. The PDS offers the space for structured, supported, and well-supervised clinical experiences.

PDS Piedmont READ 3255 –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Student Teacher –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Recent Activity –Principal Fellows Visit Current and Future Professional Development Activities

Our “PDS Poster Child” A former student of READ Piedmont High level of involvement in the school Student Teaching experience –Request –Support Research –Interview with “Clark” –Interview with teachers and administration Results are in the analysis stage

PDS Piedmont READ 3255 –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Student Teacher –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Recent Activity –Principal Fellows Visit Current and Future Professional Development Activities

Principal Fellows Visit Visit Speak w/ and Interview Principal/Administration Duty READ 3255 Students Foundation for the future

PDS Piedmont READ 3255 –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Student Teacher –5W’s and an H –Research and Results Recent Activity –Principal Fellows Visit Current and Future Professional Development Activities

Current PD Activities 6 th grade –SQ3R –Reading Strategies that Work (RT) 7 th grade –7 Step Reading Strategy B – basic info. AP – author’s purpose V - vocabulary I - inference

IB/MYP Unit Plans –6 th Grade Introduction to IB Non-fiction and informational text Fictional text Poetry Baseball unit –7 th Grade IB awareness Identity Fiction Homelessness unit Change unit –8 th Grade Friendship Our World Family Society Myself

Any Questions?