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In an effort to attract, develop, and hire teachers, the Pendergast District has announced an innovative partnership with the Arizona State University College of Teacher Education and Leadership called Professional Development School (PDS). Human Resources Director Nancy Schwander said the program, designed with intent to “grow our own teachers”, will start in January, 2008. “This is an exciting program on many levels,” Schwander said. “Foremost, it provides prospective teachers in the West Valley an opportunity for an accelerated degree and the convenience of having all course work and classroom internships in one location – our District. We certainly hope that after classroom experience in our District, and completing their degree requirements, the teachers will then choose to be employed here.” The Professional Development School (PDS) offers a fast-track to teacher certification. After completing their first two years, for instance at Glendale or Estrella Mountain Community Colleges, students can apply to ASU for admission to the program. Teachers are then on target to complete all of their teaching requirements in only 18 months rather than two years. “We hope for a cohort of about 20 students this January,” said Schwander. While the PDS is offered through ASU, it will be housed and coordinated in the Pendergast District. Those students in the program take their classes at a site in the District and do their student teaching and internships in District schools. “We are in the process of hiring the position of Professional Development School Coordinator,” Schwander said. This person will be involved in recruiting, teaching courses, placements and evaluating program participants.” For more information, contact Marcos Hernandez, ASU PDS Advisor, (623) 308-5048, markhernandez@asu.edu; or Nancy Schwander, Pendergast Human Resources, (623) 772-2232, nschwander@pesd92.org.
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