Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1476161
I N S O M E O F the most formative weeks of a new teacher's career, Morgan Pellettera of the Employee Development Depart- ment works to ensure that student teachers in San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) have the tools to succeed. Pellettera runs the student teacher placement program at SBCUSD, bringing an experienced class- room teacher's perspective to ensure that student teachers get the support they need during their four-month experience. "Student teaching is such an integral piece of the teacher training program ," says Pellettera, a San Bernardino Teachers Association (SBTA) member. "It can make or break a teacher." Pellettera says the effort is purposeful and intentional, providing the professional de velopm ent, coaching and m entoring that student t each ers n eed , and giving them an experience that makes SBCUSD f e e l l i k e h o m e . A h i g h s c h o o l E n g l i s h teacher for 15 years before becoming the p l a c em ent c o ordi n ator, Pel l e tt era h a s mentored numerous student teachers and says she knows the support and skills they need to be successful. When Pellettera began overseeing the program in early 2018, she changed the district's process for selecting student and men- tor teachers, contacting all current educators and developing a database of interested master teachers from across 72 schools to match with students. With more than 25 university partnerships, matching mentors with student teachers needs to be intentional and purposeful , she says. Pel- lettera looks for educators who are teacher leaders at their sites, including demonstration teach- ers, induction mentors, different types of coach es, departm ent chairs and pathway leads. She says it's important to note that many teachers who haven't had the opportunity to serve in those roles can also be great mentors. "A teacher who shows great San Bernardino student teacher placement program purposefully prepares new educators By Julian Peeples Set Up for Success " Our student teachers are saying this is an incredible experience. The experts are already in the room — these are the people we need to train the next generation of teachers." — Morgan Pellettera, San Bernardino Teachers Association Master teacher Tom Pham (center) is surrounded by four former students who were all hired by the district in the same year. Left to right are Lawrence Quenga, Amy Aguirre, Michelle Nguyen and Rocky Martinez. 46 cta.org Teaching & Learning