Inspiring Instruction

 

Once a year for eight weeks, Lowell partners with George Washington University (GWU) to offer an internship program for students in the graduate school of education. The two interns are placed with master teachers in Lowell classrooms to observe and assist in daily activities. Towards the end of their internship they deliver 2-3 short lessons under the guidance of their mentors.

 

At Lowell, where class sizes are small, students are engaged, and the administration is supportive, “You can see what the ideal is in an educational setting,” said Susie Rosenbaum, Adjunct Professor and Supervisor of the GWU Elementary Education Model Program. “Student teachers need this experience.”

 

The teacher interns come to Lowell from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Some have been teaching for years, others are career changers, all are looking to get their master’s degrees in education.

 

After a year teaching in a preschool, Paula Van Creveld decided to go back to school and joined Charlene Impey’s 4th grade class. “It’s interesting to see different strategies for teaching,” said Paula. “There’s a variety of ways the students are allowed to learn here.” She said she learned a lot from observing the class and from Charlene, who looked over her lesson plans and helped her polish them. “The lessons ended up running more smoothly and were well put together when the time came to deliver,” she said. ”Seeing Charlene in the classroom, she is so patient,” Paula reflected. “Sometimes you have to change your expectations; that is something I can learn about for myself.”

 

Ben Ourisman decided to return to teaching after some time in the business world. He joined Kathie Clements in her 3rd grade class. “The biggest surprise was that the best practices in the text books and education theory classes actually work and are being demonstrated in the classrooms. I wasn’t expecting that.” Ben compares his experience observing Kathie to watching the grace of Michael Jordan play basketball in the 1990’s. “I’m so impressed. As an intern it has been so heartening. There is a lot of cynicism in the education world right now. I see that it really is possible to educate children in a meaningful way.”

 

As the teacher interns soak up teaching pedagogy and practice, they also contribute to the Lowell community, providing an additional set of hands in the classroom and another adult with whom students can make a meaningful connection. When they leave the program, they go on to teach in classrooms, museums, and other educational settings. Fifth grade teacher Sarah Buscher came to Lowell from the GWU program, and several of Lowell’s teachers have graduated from similar programs, including Charlene Impey, Natalie Stapert, and Kristen Peck, just to name a few.

 

Director of Primary School Elizabeth Lener, who spearheaded the collaboration with GWU, noted that wherever the interns end up, “some of Lowell goes with them.” Upon leaving Paula said, “I’ll be more attuned to my classroom’s population.” She has let go of the notion that her class will always look one way; “You’ll have students from different backgrounds, with different ways of learning, and different behaviors. You have to be prepared to manage that.” Ben Ourisman said,“I hope when I leave here it all doesn’t just dissolve at the gates.” He plans to do research-based work and has a “grand vision” of taking what he’s learned this year to students around the world.