One of the primary goals of the National Center for Urban Education (NCUE) is to prepare pre-service teachers to teach in urban settings. Dedicated to social justice and culturally responsive pedagogy, we work with our community partners to provide opportunities for Illinois State faculty, staff, and future educators to develop competencies through clinical experiences in Chicago’s public schools and neighborhoods. Using the relationships cultivated with communities and schools, we create opportunities for students and staff to learn more about the urban gems that shine bright in the neighborhoods of Chicago. This October, NCUE facilitated two in-person trips: the first designed for faculty and staff in partnership with Dr. Monica Noraian from the Lauby Teacher Education Center, and the second serving education students in Dr. Carrie Anna Courtad’s Language and Literacy Development (SED 342) course.
The faculty and staff visit included both elementary and high schools in East Garfield Park and Little Village. The goal of the trip was to give faculty and staff across campus areas and colleges firsthand knowledge of the NCUE community-integrated education programs available to Illinois State students seeking clinical or student teaching experiences in Chicago. At Jacob Beidler Elementary School in East Garfield Park, Illinois State and Beidler staff members met to discuss school culture and ways Illinois State could best prepare future teachers to work in the urban setting. Illinois State alum Alliyah Phillips ‘18, who participated in the yearlong Chicago PDS program, now teaches at Beidler and shared her insights with the Illinois State group to take back to future urban education students. She emphasized that cultural competency is grounded in building trust and relationships through personal conversations. “Be accommodating. Open up about yourself, especially people who look different. Kids want to know your story,” she said.
In comparison, Illinois State special education students participated in a more traditional clinical experience alongside host teachers in classrooms engaging in authentic teaching and learning with elementary children rather than meeting with school-based staff. Courtad’s class came prepared to share a dialogic reading activity with students at Daniel J. Corkery Elementary School in Little Village, and then donated the books to the classrooms. The Illinois State students were able to not only lead a small group activity, but also get a sense of what a typical day at a CPS school is like. “I thoroughly enjoy getting to watch my students teach in CPS classrooms,” Courtad said. “I love seeing the pre-service teachers deliver a dialogic reading activity, having to make instructional choices as they work with students. My students also get to experience an asset-based view of the neighborhood, enjoying the wonder and culture that each neighborhood presents.”
Successful teachers recognize the importance of a holistic approach. NCUE centers the model of community-integrated teaching where educators actively get involved with the community, become knowledgeable about available resources, and understand how to connect their students and families to those resources. NCUE supports this approach by working collaboratively with community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout Chicago. After lunch at a locally owned restaurant, with support from Gynger Garcia, CBO liaison from Breakthrough in East Garfield Park and Isamar Valentin, CBO liaison from Latinos Progresando in Little Village, both ISU groups were able to experience a number of outstanding neighborhood assets including the Garfield Park Conservatory, the National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA), and the rich murals of Pilsen. The focus of the cultural activities highlighted how these community spaces work with and support local residents as well as provide cultural experiences to the general public.
Both groups came away with a full and engaging day imbued with ideas and understandings that can help participants serve students (university or future K-12) more effectively. Noraian, acting director of the Lauby Teacher Education Center said, “At ISU we talk about the great work happening in Chicago with students and our partners, but seeing it firsthand is very important for sustainability. Our team was able to immerse themselves with conversations and interactions broadening their horizons and gaining deeper insights into where many of our students come from or might go as part of their rich ISU education. Hearing what a difference urban-infused course opportunities and diverse clinical experience can have on students, seeing where alumni take their talents and practice teaching because of the exposure and learning experiences they had, and feeling the power of community and its positive impact in schools were important takeaways.”
NCUE looks forward to another Illinois State student visit later this fall with Dr. Sara Piotrowski’s Historical Foundations (EAF 235) course and will continue to provide virtual and in-person opportunities to all members of our campus community. Illinois State colleges and departments interested in planning meaningful school and community experiences with NCUE can reach out to Dr. Maria Luisa Zamudio-Mainou, NCUE executive director.
