The Intellect, Character, Creativity Institute (ICCI) in collaboration with Marylhurst University seeks to give beginning teachers a solid two-year background as apprentices to experienced teachers combined with formal study of educational ideas and practice.

Apprentice teachers spend forty-hour weeks learning the art of teaching. For two years, they remain with the same master teachers and their mixed-age classes, deepening their ties to both students and colleagues and thereby understanding that quintessential element of good teaching—relationship. They are considered members of the faculty at Arbor School (their practicum site) and participate fully in all aspects of school life. In turn, they bring ideas and fresh energy to their classrooms and to the community at large. They are vital to the renewal of Arbor School.

During their first year, apprentices take increasing responsibility for planning, instructing, and assessing children’s progress in their classrooms. In the spring of this year, apprentices develop and implement their first work sample in either mathematics or literacy. Their second year takes a somewhat different shape. During the fall and winter terms, apprentices write a thesis that analyzes a teaching process or project that they have conducted at Arbor School. During the spring term, they solo teach for nine weeks, implementing a second, interdisciplinary work sample. They also create a portfolio of artifacts of their teaching and defend it in front of a committee.

Throughout each school year and during summer term, apprentices attend Marylhurst courses delivered at Arbor School and nearby Marylhurst University. This course work spans the requirements established by the TSPC and Marylhurst, focusing on such areas as child development, work sample/assessment, social justice, methodology (including ESOL and Reading Endorsement prerequisites), and educational philosophy. Strong emphasis on literacy and reading underpins this preparation for work with young children from many backgrounds and cultures.

This combination of extensive classroom experience and course work anticipating the growing multi-lingual and multi-cultural demands of school settings throughout Oregon mirrors current thinking about the best practices for teacher education. Graduates of the ICCI/Marylhurst program will leave their training well prepared to consider the needs of individual children within a variety of school contexts.

 To read an article that appeared in the fall issue of the magazine "Open Spaces" written by Annmarie Chesebro, ICCI program coordinator and an adjunct education instructor for Marylhurst University, click here.

For information about the School Leadership Program, click here

ICC Institute at Arbor School, 4201 SW Borland Road, Tualatin, OR 97062-6779
phone 503.638.6399 fax 503.638.6903 icci@arborschool.org