For senior Milana Varon, interacting last year with preschool students who had struggles with speech solidified her decision to pursue a career in speech pathology.
Varon has recently committed to Duquesne University with a scholarship and a fast-track, five-year program to become a speech pathologist for children in grades K-5. To help further her experience, she has become a part of Baldwin’s student teaching program.
The student teaching opportunity started with McAnnulty three years ago, but this is the first year the high school has also partnered with Whitehall. It serves as an internship position in which high school students can create lesson plans, bond with the younger children, teach, and shadow a Baldwin-Whitehall teacher to learn what it takes to educate young children.
This year, two Baldwin students are participating in the program, but 12 have expressed interest for next year.
There are two tiers to the program.
The first is the Friday Elementary Volunteer Partnership, in which high school students in the Project Preschool class at Baldwin volunteer their time every Friday for a few hours, acting as a second set of hands to help their mentor teacher with whatever is needed. The only prerequisite is being enrolled in the preschool class.
The second level is called Elementary Practicum (Preschool 2), which is a step up in terms of time commitment.
Students in this program have early afternoon release and go to the elementary schools Monday through Friday for the afternoon. During this time, they teach small-group lessons and eventually plan and deliver lessons on their own with the help of their mentor teacher. The prerequisite to join this class is having been a part of the Friday Elementary Volunteer Partnership the previous year.
Students can choose to get their start by taking the child development class in their sophomore year. Then they take Project Preschool, working with preschoolers at Baldwin, in their junior year. They can also choose to join the Friday Elementary Volunteer Partnership opportunity. Then, for senior year, the student can be a part of the Elementary Practicum.
Varon is a part of the Elementary Practicum, and she teaches in Amy McDonough’s kindergarten class at McAnnulty during the second half of every day.
McDonough sees the impact Varon brings to her classroom.
“Whether she’s leading a read-aloud story, helping with art projects, teaching a lesson, or working in small groups, her support allows for a more individualized attention, where just having one adult in the room would not,” McDonough said. “She is very enthusiastic and brings a positive energy to the class each day.”
Varon’s experience at McAnnulty will help prepare her for her future career choice, McDonough said.
“Being at McAnnulty in both capacities has helped her to develop important skills that will benefit her in her future career,” McDonough said. “She is learning valuable hands-on experience, such as communication with young learners, leadership, responsibility, planning, and confidence, as she prepares for her career path.”
Senior Rhianna Lavelle is the other student in the program this year. She works with a second-grade classroom at Whitehall Elementary.
She had been introduced to the preschool program by Baldwin teacher Virginia Pfatteicher in her freshman year, and she got involved in her junior and senior years. Now she is also in Elementary Practicum.
“My favorite part is hearing all the stories about the students’ days,” Lavelle said. “Also, it’s a good feeling when you have been trying to get them to understand something, and they finally do. They get really happy.”
Preschool teacher Michelle Malone and Virginia Pfatteicher are in charge of the student teaching program. The idea for the program came from a desire to expand students’ opportunities.
“We began exploring ways to provide our high school students with authentic teaching experiences beyond the preschool lab,” Malone said. “From there, we worked collaboratively to develop partnerships and build a structure that would be meaningful for both our high school and elementary students.”
The program has also been receiving positive feedback throughout the year. It gives the high school students a challenge and responsibility, Malone said.
“They are growing not only as future educators but also as leaders and role models,” Malone said.
In addition to the kindergarten and elementary schools, there are opportunities at the middle school for Baldwin students in the preschool program. They assist teachers on Fridays.
Senior Ava Faust shadows middle school teacher Amy Goetzman. Though she had also explored other career paths, Faust decided to stick with this program due to her interests.
“I’ve been thinking about education. I also thought about dental, which is completely different,” Faust said. “But I do love helping kids learn new things.”
As each day is different with the content they teach or assist in teaching, the students have a choice in their lesson choices.
“I get lessons sometimes from the teacher, and I will help teach any that they have, or if I want to bring my own,” Faust said.
With some guidance from their mentor teachers, the high school students and the teachers they shadow have seen favorable outcomes overall. The plan is to continue with the program into the future.
“We hope to continue strengthening our existing partnerships and expanding opportunities as interest and scheduling allow,” Malone said.
The program has been a great opportunity for students interested in education and who want a head start in working on their future career paths, Malone said.
“For students considering a career in education, this provides a realistic preview of the profession while they are still in high school,” Malone said. “It helps build confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and allows students to enter college teacher preparation programs with an authentic classroom experience already in place.”
