TCT #redbirds connect with community through ISU CTEP summer immersion

Illinois State University’s Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline (CTEP) had a blast this summer with all four cohorts in the Teach Chicago Tomorrow (TCT) program following Illinois State pathways. 

With the program in its fourth year, the impact of summer immersion programming across the years was evident. Depending on their year in the program, students participated in scaffolded community and school experiences that build on each other toward the central goal connecting future Chicago Public School (CPS) teachers to the CTEP model of the community-minded teacher. 

TCT scholars participated in experiences in Illinois State partner communities across Chicago, shadowed current CPS teachers, attended professional development workshops, spent time with community families, and visited campus. 

As their educator journey continues, summer immersion keeps TCT scholars grounded in their “why.” A rising sophomore said, “I want to connect and guide the students to envisioning a better future for themselves and the community by first guiding them to be the best version of themselves.” 

Each summer, as the scholars progress through the CTEP program, they deepen their knowledge of what it means to be a community teacher and see the neighborhood surrounding a school through an assets-based lens: “Every community has someone who needs help and has members that will support them.” Another rising junior noted, “These (community) experiences are most impactful because I learned that there are resources around communities that can be useful as an upcoming teacher.”

Spending time with children and current teachers are key components of summer immersion. One rising freshman said, “I loved working with the kids and getting a chance to show the skills I’ve learned in my (high school) CTE program.” Shadowing current CPS teachers is always a top highlight. As a rising junior said, “Being able to actually go to a classroom and be involved with students renewed my motivation to teach.” Another noted, “I got the chance to talk to teachers about my fears.” 

One new experience for the rising seniors was an independent immersive experience with a community family who has children in CPS.  As the scholars go into their final year of their education program, this experience provided them with an authentic opportunity to engage directly with a family as a future teacher. One scholar said: “Meaningful (community/family) engagement can help teachers gain a better understanding of what their students go through on a daily basis. This is an experience that I will carry with me when I teach.”

Summer immersion is a critical piece of the TCT-Illinois State CTEP partnership providing connective experiences across the four years of study. Students build on their knowledge while connecting with ISU faculty and staff, current CPS teachers, PreK-12 students, community scholars and, importantly, each other. CTEP is thrilled to be a part of this impactful and effective program supporting TCT #Redbird scholars and future CPS teachers.