Westwind Intermediate Teacher's Success Tied to Professional Development School

PHOENIX – June 29, 2010 – She didn't know it at the time, but Rebecca Swiggett was the reason the Pendergast Elementary School District entered into a Professional Development School (PDS) partnership with Arizona State University.

"Our intent was to grow our own teachers," said Pendergast Superintendent Ron Richards. "We wanted to encourage those people with roots in our district to become teachers and stay in our district," Richards continued. "Rebecca Swiggett is the perfect example of what we hoped to accomplish."

Swiggett just completed her first year of teaching at Westwind Intermediate School this past May. She taught a fifth grade Structured English Immersion (SEI) class, starting the year with 30 students. Sixteen of her students were reclassified and two moved up a classification. Westwind Intermediate is temporarily located at 3800 N. 91st Avenue in West Phoenix while construction begins on a new "green" school.

Only two years ago, Swiggett was an instructional aide at Westwind while completing her AA program at Estrella Mountain Community College. She was one of nine students in the initial Pendergast/ASU Professional Development School. There are 30 prospective teachers in the current class.

Her Principal, Brian Winefsky, and her students, say her first year teaching was a great success.

"She has been one of the best hires we've ever made," Winefsky says. "She is incredibly dedicated, creative and positive with her kids. The students love her and they are learning."

Several students agreed. "I will miss her when I go to sixth grade," said Anthony. "She is the best teacher I ever had." And Eduardo concurs: "She tells me I can be successful, and I am successful." Joshua added: "She cares about us...she is nice to all and she makes learning fun."

The PDS path is a fast-track, 18 months to a degree, but takes an enormous commitment of time, says Swiggett.

"You save a semester, which saves money," she explained, "but it is an intense program that takes a lot of time management. But the classroom experiences make it all worthwhile.

"I really believe that due to being in the PDS program and getting all of the classroom experience I had an advantage over other students. When you're on the outside you only get to see the show, you never get to see all the preparation it takes to make that show a success."

By the time she graduated in May, 2009, Swiggett had worked in five Pendergast schools as an intern or student teacher.

"Being a student teacher is like having two full time jobs," she remembered. "You still have all of your course work to complete and you are planning full lessons and delivering to students every day."

She not only gained knowledge and experience as a student teacher, "I gained a lot of confidence," Swiggett added.