Polk State’s Elementary Education Program places first group of interns in Polk County Public Schools
Polk State College’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Program recently placed its first group of students for internships throughout Polk County Public Schools.
These teacher candidates will start their culminating teaching experiences on August 6 during planning week at schools including Valleyview Elementary, Cleveland Court Elementary, Boswell Elementary, Lincoln Avenue Academy, and Berkley Charter School.
The inaugural group includes Brittiny Pearn, a U.S. Army veteran; Toni Montoya, a Polk County Public Schools bus driver; Crysta Guillette, Leo Navarrete, Sarah Newberry, Mayme Plumlee, and Christina Yacoub.
“Field experiences are an integral part of Polk State’s Education programs and ensure that our teacher candidates receive hands-on, real-world experiences that allow them to make connections between what they learn in college and what they will practice as professionals in the classroom,” Director of Education Patricia Linder said.
While teacher candidates participate in valuable field experiences throughout the program, the final internship is a 12-week placement in a local school where they assume the role of full-time classroom teachers.
“Field experiences are an integral part of Polk State’s Education programs and ensure that our teacher candidates receive hands-on, real-world experiences that allow them to make connections between what they learn in college and what they will practice as professionals in the classroom,” Director of Education Patricia Linder said.
“In their final internships, students have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of skills and competencies the State of Florida deems necessary for effective teaching and learning,” Dr. Linder added. “This will give them the confidence they need to lead their future classrooms.”
Polk State launched its Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education programs in Fall 2016 to address local workforce needs. The College collaborated with Polk County Public Schools and Lake Wales Charter Schools, the two largest employers of elementary education teachers, to develop the programs and curriculum.
Today, Polk State is the only public post-secondary institution in Polk County offering state-approved teacher education preparation programs. The baccalaureate degree programs are approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), and State Board of Education.
“The criteria for each program’s curriculum are defined by Florida Statutes, so there is not a lot of wiggle room. When I say rigor, I mean rigor,” Linder told Senator Kelli Stargel during a College tour in October.
Polk State has built-in measurements for state-mandated standards that were developed in collaboration with Polk County Public Schools to ensure students are ready to immediately and successfully lead classrooms upon graduation.
The teacher candidates, who have continued to rave about Polk State’s Education programs, put it best.
“Compared to larger schools, the learning at Polk has been passionate, hands-on, and inviting,” Yacoub said. “The professors give you an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas. I love that kind of support.”
“I now have a life-long support system who will continue to encourage and motivate me. I am prepared to succeed,” Navarette said.
“Polk State’s program has prepared us to be successful in the classroom,” Pearn said. “It’s exciting to see how eager the principals are for us to graduate so that we can get into their classrooms. They give us great feedback, and it’s amazing to see our professors and directors continuously improving the program. They are invested in us, the students, and that has been the most encouraging part throughout the entire journey.”
The first cohort of Elementary Education baccalaureate students will graduate in December 2018.