Elementary schools serve as college classrooms

Shippensburg University students are getting hands-on training by heading back to elementary school.

The university has launched a professional development school site at Fayetteville Elementary School where students get first-hand classroom experience. "We have a true blended class," said Dr. Andrea Malmont, assistant professor of teacher education. "Students spend half their time on campus and half their time at the school."

Kristen Weaver, a junior education major from Mifflintown, is one of the students. "I really enjoy my time out there," she said. "Watching teachers and how they react to different situations is really interesting."

Among the practical experiences available to those involved in the program are helping out in the classroom as needed and one-on-one tutoring of students.

Gettysburg junior Desiree Corbin said the program has brought her "out of my shell" and made her more confident. Corbin, whose mother and grandfather were both teachers, said, "Just knowing I can teach a child something they didn't already know is so rewarding." Before her experience at Fayetteville, Corbin wanted to teach first grade, but working with a fourth-grade class has convinced her she could teach an older class as well.

According to Malmont, the program at Fayetteville Elementary is a partnership with the Chambersburg Area School District and is still in its infancy. It was started, she said, after educators heard from students who said they needed more experience in a rural setting. Malmont started looking at possible sites for the program in 2002.

The 56 students enrolled in the Elements of Instruction class must spend at least one hour per week at the elementary school. "We're seeing about two hours per week per student," Malmont said, "which ends up being 112 hours, 56 volunteer hours and 56 required hours."

A similar program operates on campus at the Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School.

According to Malmont, professional development services are available to students at the Fayetteville school. The program also gives students the opportunity to realize if teaching is the right career choice for them, she said.