ISU starts new year of programming in Auburn Gresham

School is in session and a new year of Illinois State University programming is revving up in Auburn Gresham.

The Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) has partnered with Illinois State University College of Education in its Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline™ initiative.  The Pipeline works to increase urban teacher recruitment and improve urban teacher retention by providing unique opportunities for both ISU and Chicago Public School students to engage, explore, and hone their interest in urban education. The Pipeline’s mission is to help create a new generation of teachers committed to urban education and the communities of Chicago.  Below are a few programs taking place during the 2011-2012 school year: 

Professional Development School (PDS)is a year-long program available to pre-service teachers in their senior year. PDS students have the option to live in the community in which they are student teaching. Chicago PDS takes place in both the Auburn Gresham and Little Village community in various partner schools.   This year, there are 10 students living and working in Auburn Gresham.  

PDS students during their Community Context Seminar

C. Cobb

CONNECTis a mentoring program between ISU and CPS students that offers great opportunities for both groups to be exposed to each other’s community and learning environment.  Last year, the students planted trees to memorialize their relationship and beautify the school garden at Westcott.

ISU and Westcott students team together to plant trees donated by Lowes (8nd and Holland).

E. Sanders

TEACH Club provides high school students with opportunities to explore teaching as a career. Participating CPS students get to participate in workshops and learn more about college access.  Over the summer, TEACH interns worked at Morgan, Cook, and Westcott Elementary schools, tutoring elementary students.

Special thanks to our partner schools Oliver S. Westcott Elementary, Rudyard Kipling Elementary, Wendell Green Elementary, Simeon Career Academy and Perspectives Charter School.

For more information, please contact Corrinn Cobb, ISU Site Coordinator, at ccobb@gagdc.org or by phone at 773. 483.3696.