More than 40 education majors at Commonwealth University in Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield recently got an inside look at each level of public education thanks to a joint project with the Williamsport Area School District.
The district-wide field day experience was a $9,000 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) award awarded to CU-Lock Haven education professor Dr. Priya Poehner and associate professor of education Dr. Daniel Roesch. Made possible through a mini-grant. Learn and Advance at CU-Bloomsburg “Enrich your teaching experience” and a focus on building partnerships with local schools.
“This collaborative project will provide students from all CU campuses with the opportunity to observe classrooms in the K-12 district and receive instruction from master teachers.” Pohner said.
CU students were matched with teachers at Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, Lycoming Valley Middle School, Williamsport Area Middle School, and Williamsport Area High School in their primary areas of focus: elementary, secondary, and secondary education. . Then, after an orientation session led by Williamsport Administrator and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Richard Poole, they spent the day observing and interacting with Williamsport teachers and students in their classrooms. Dr. Brandon Pardoe, Director of Student Services. and Kristin Takach, director of secondary education curriculum.
“Welcoming and mentoring new teachers to the profession is a refreshing opportunity.” Takachi said. “Commonwealth University’s openness to building partnerships is an asset to both of our organizations.”
“It was the most important and valuable activity of my entire semester.” Ron Timko, a secondary education major at the University of California, Lock Haven, said: “I confidently guess that when this is all over, it will be the most important event of my academic life. It succinctly and effectively filled the gap in what seemed like a scary time.”
CU students who participated included Emily Smeal of Lock Haven; Emily Bourne, of Reading; Bailey Fox of Williamsport; Isaiah Williams, of Williamsport; Caroline Kaufman, Emmiesville resident; Rachel Maurer, of Minersville; Makenna Matthews, from Ulster; Snowshoeer Mackenzie Vozniak. Wanda Meredith, State University; Skyler Reinner, of Howard; Kayla Bennett of Sunbury; Gabby Finn, of Roseto; Emporium's Hannah Lopez. Megan Turan of Carrolltown; Casey Saville of Howard. Levi Storrs of Columbia Crossroads. Russ Gleason of Catawissa; Addison Heasley of Montgomery; Ron Timko of Lock Haven. Megan Corkle of Millerstown. Huaixin Xue, from China. Avery Jessel, of Hughesville; Isaac Owens, of Frenchville; Antonio Perilli of Summit Hill. Madison Kufu of Watsontown; Charles Chambliss of Mill Hall. Katherine Kling of Perkasie; Ashley Ibargen Gomez of Wilkes-Barre; Nicole Wood, of Pipersville; Megan Mengel lives in Redding. Kelly Zarzycki, from Lederach. Chloe Colter from Jersey Shore. and Elliott Dunn of Landenberg.