Julien's Journal September 2016 (Volume 41, Number 9) | Page 34

Kristi Alvarado, Clarke Reading PDS Student, reads a repetitive text to build reading fluency. Family owned since 1946 Paula Schmidt, the Chair of Education at Clarke University, has been at Clarke for 13 years. During her time there, she has been involved and witnessed teachers developing in Clarke’s PDS program. “Working with the community, especially in relation to improving reading levels, is a natural fit for our education program at Clarke,” said Paula. Freshen Up Your Fall Wardrobe Your dresses, slacks, coats and suits will look like NEW with quality dry cleaning by Artistic! ARTISTIC CLEANERS DRIVE UP WINDOW FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE 107 Locust • Dubuque • 563-583-3544 HOURS: Monday - Friday: 6:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday: 7 - 11 am 32  ❖  Julien’s Journal  Clarke’s PDS sites include Fulton Elementary, Table Mound Elementary, St. Anthony Elementary, and Mazzuchelli Middle School. All sites incorporate coursework related to reading, though the three elementary sites focus on reading skills and reading interventions more specifically. Each PDS site has approximately 15 pre-service teachers and two college instructors on-site daily for the entire semester. Fulton, Table Mound, and St. Anthony have the Clarke PDS program in their schools both semesters. Mazzuchelli has PDS only in the fall. Clarke professors and students meet in these schools daily from approximately 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. According to Paula, the PDS partnerships are a win-win for all parties involved. “Anything we can do, whether it is classroom support of a teacher, helping a child who needs remediation, or assisting a child who is not struggling, but needs to have an extension of their learning, is time well spent. It is so rewarding to watch [Clarke] students learn and grow as they become excellent teachers.” The Clarke students studying to be teachers are eager to work with kids and see how the literacy research looks in action. The Clarke professors enjoy the opportunity to be in the schools daily so they can stay current on the needs of schools, teachers, and kids. The Clarke students studying to be teachers are eager to work with kids and see how the literacy research looks in action.