More than 40 education majors from Commonwealth University’s Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield locations had a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in public education through a collaborative project with the Williamsport Area School District. Thanks to a $9,000 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) mini grant, Dr. Priya Poehner and Dr. Daniel Roesch spearheaded the initiative to promote “Sweetening the Teaching Experience” and foster partnerships with local schools.
The district-wide Field Day experience allowed CU students to observe and be mentored by master teachers in K-12 classrooms at various schools within the Williamsport Area School District. Students were matched with teachers based on their major emphasis in elementary, mid-level, or secondary education and spent the day interacting with teachers and students in different classrooms.
The collaboration was praised by Williamsport administrators, including Dr. Richard Poole, Dr. Brandon Pardoe, and Kristin Takach, who emphasized the importance of welcoming and guiding new teachers into the profession. CU-Lock Haven secondary education major, Ron Timko, described the experience as the most important and valuable activity of his academic career, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Participating CU students hailed from various locations, including Lock Haven, Reading, Williamsport, Emigsville, and even China. The opportunity to engage with real-world teaching scenarios left a lasting impact on the students, providing them with a deeper understanding of the teaching profession and the chance to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. The collaboration between Commonwealth University and the Williamsport Area School District proved to be a valuable learning experience for all involved.