A Summer of Growth
Practicum 2026
Practicum is officially in the books for our Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana corps members, and what a summer it has been!
Practicum is part of Teach For America's Pre-Service Training, the summer learning experience that prepares incoming corps members for their first day in the classroom. It is a chance to build relationships with a network of systems change leaders, engage in continuous and critical self-reflection, and immediately put new lessons into practice through real teaching experience. While the training is rigorous, it lays a strong foundation that corps members will continue to build on throughout their time in the classroom, and it helps them walk into the school year with context, confidence, and a support system already in place.
Over the past four weeks, our corps members have engaged in a comprehensive, practice-based learning experience designed to build foundational instructional skills, strengthen judgment, and prepare them for success in their classrooms this fall. Here is a look at everything they have been up to.
Daily Teaching and Rehearsal Cycles
Corps members taught daily Teaching Blocks across all four weeks, supported by structured rehearsal cycles that allowed them to refine delivery, practice instructional moves, and respond to real-time student needs. These cycles helped corps members build confidence, internalize routines, and strengthen their ability to plan, execute, and adjust instruction.
Lesson Preparation and Planning Clinics
Across multiple Lesson Prep Clinics, corps members created and internalized lesson plans, practiced lesson execution, explored instructional resources, and strengthened alignment between objectives, tasks, and assessments. These clinics helped corps members build the muscle of planning with clarity, intentionality, and student outcomes in mind.
Skills Clinics at Practicum Sites
Corps members engaged in targeted Skills Clinics focused on core instructional practices, including Notice and Name, sincere and authentic praise, sustaining student engagement, and building rapport with students. These sessions supported corps members in developing relational, culturally responsive, and engagement-focused classroom practices.
Judgment Building Clinics
Corps members participated in a series of Judgment Building Clinics centered on cultivating curiosity, influence and impact, and engaging in challenging situations. These clinics helped corps members strengthen their professional judgment, navigate complex school-based scenarios, and build the dispositions needed for effective leadership in the classroom.
Data Reflection Clinics
Across multiple Data Reflection Clinics, corps members learned to understand why data matters, build early momentum, make meaning from student work, and use insights to drive instructional decisions. These sessions reinforced the importance of data-informed teaching and helped corps members practice analyzing student work to adjust instruction.
Content Sessions
Corps members attended recurring content-specific sessions to deepen their understanding of subject area pedagogy and strengthen their ability to deliver rigorous, standards-aligned instruction.
Community Building and Identity Affirming Events
Corps members participated in several community-building experiences, including Tacos and Connections (an LGBTQIA2S+ corps member event), an Ice Cream Social, Stories and Community (a corps member of color event), and an end-of-practicum BBQ and Alumni Happy Hour. These events helped corps members build relationships, find affinity spaces, and strengthen their sense of belonging within the region.
University Partnership and Licensure Work
Corps members engaged in Relay EDU500 live sessions, graduate coursework, and licensure checkpoints. These components supported their academic progress and ensured alignment with certification requirements.
Professional Learning Workshops
Corps members participated in sessions such as Proactive Strategies to Avoid Teacher Burnout, Creating Healing Centered Learning Environments, Together Teacher, and Looking Ahead to F90. These workshops helped corps members build sustainable habits, understand trauma-informed practices, and prepare for the transition into their full-time teaching roles.
School Site Engagement and Board Visits
Corps members were present and teaching during board visits at Saucedo and Horizon, demonstrating their growth and instructional readiness throughout the summer.
This is what Practicum is all about: giving corps members the chance to learn, teach, and reflect within a community that pushes them to grow. As they head into the school year, they carry with them new skills, new relationships, and a strong foundation to build on.
We could not be prouder of this group and cannot wait to see what they accomplish in their classrooms this fall.