Phil George, professor of education, received the Pella Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award in the Education Innovator division. George was selected in recognition of his role in the establishment and administration of the Central Teacher Academy (CTA).
Nominations were made by Pella Chamber of Commerce members, businesses and Pella residents. A selection committee reviewed nominations and named recipients in eight categories.
“I’m genuinely appreciative of receiving the honor,” said George. “CTA is the best single program with which I have had an association.”
CTA—a collaboration between Central College, Pella Community Schools and the Heartland Area Education Agency—is a professional development program for prospective teachers, pairing students with a mentor teacher from a local school. The three-year relationship allows students to become an integral part of their mentor’s classroom over an extended period.
“The long-term mentor relationship provides the opportunity to develop a professional relationship that is deep and meaningful,” said George. “They get to see how that mentor teacher fulfills her or his professional responsibilities over the long term.”
Education faculty founded CTA 14 years ago, an expansion of Central’s already extensive field experience opportunities. Beginning with their first education course, prospective teachers have multiple opportunities to observe and assist in local classrooms.
Interested students apply to CTA at the end of their first year. The program admits about 20 students per class, although the pool of applicants for the 2012 cadre is the largest in the program’s history..“Central’s regular education program is excellent in its own right,” said George. “CTA simply is an intensive, extended opportunity.”
Throughout their three years in CTA, students spend four to five hours per week in their mentor teacher’s classroom, in addition to the field experience hours required for their regular program courses. During the semester-long student-teaching assignment completed during their senior year, students spend one of their two placements with their CTA mentor teacher.
CTA is the only program of its type in the state. “It’s an excellent example of the benefits of collaboration among educational entities,” said George. The educational potential for Central students is clear, but the partnership is also valued by mentor teachers, who appreciate the professional development that comes from serving as a mentor.
Reflecting on his career, George says that, “Fulfilling my professional role genuinely has been a privilege.”After 25 years on the education faculty at Central, George will retire this spring, and CTA is an appropriate legacy to leave behind. “We always want to fulfill students’ potential as prospective teachers,” said George. “That is manifested through the development of knowledge, skills and dispositions that are essential to being excellent beginning teachers.”
Read more about George’s history at Central College.
