Eisenhower students complete year as interns
July 19, 2012 2:58PM
Pictured (front row, from left) are Eisenhower High School teacher interns Eliana Menlik, Crystal Castillo and Gladys Valentin; Eisenhower teacher Jennifer Serpe; interns Mariana Esparza and Rachel Duffy; and (back row) interns Jamilla Jones, Cecilia Olvera, Lailah Roan, Luke Langlois, Carlos Delgado and Daja Sanders. Not pictured but also serving as teacher interns were Jazmine Gladney and Amanda Oliver. | Supplied Photo
Updated: August 23, 2012 6:02AM
More than a dozen seniors at Eisenhower High School recently completed an experience that helped them decide whether they want to become teachers.
For four days every week, they left Eisenhower to work as teacher interns at local elementary and middle schools. Without investing a minute of their college education, they learned whether teaching would suit them.
“Being in this class helped me gain a better understanding of the career,” said student Carlos Delgado. “It carefully threw me into the environment that I have only thought of. The experience was fun, too.”
“I definitely recommend this class,” said student Marina Esparza. “It’s the closest you will get to teaching until you become a student-teacher (in college). I always knew I wanted to work as a teacher, and now thanks to this class I learned that I really enjoy it.”
Serving as interns allowed the Eisenhower seniors to learn a bit about classroom management, often a challenge for young teachers.
“You can’t always be nice to the students,” said student Luke Langlois. “Sometimes you have to raise your voice to make your point.”
“This experience really opened my eyes about how a classroom works,” said student Cecilia Olvera. “By being there every day, I am certain that this is exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
Interns stressed that experiencing the work environment of a classroom offered lessons they could not learn from a text book, lecture or any other educational resource.
“You can’t always rely on a book to do your lessons,” student Rachel Duffy said. “You have to think (creatively).”
Interns said the program helped them understand the amount of time and work involved in teaching.
“I learned how much organization matters as a teacher,” said student Eliana Melnik. “Having everything ready for lessons is key to making sure everything runs smoothly.”
Serving as interns allowed the Eisenhower students to glimpse the day-to-day life of a teacher. They designed bulletin board displays, helped with lesson plans and grading, tutored in computer labs, and worked with individual students.
Toward the end some students even taught, and all identified working with children as the best part.
“The internship has given me more in-depth knowledge of the job,” said student Lailah Roan. “It made me want to pursue a career in teaching even more.”
Each of the Eisenhower students endorsed the program and recommended the experience for anyone considering a career in education.
“This class allowed you to see the life of a teacher,” student Amanda Oliver said. “You learn if you really want to teach.”
Eisenhower students served as teacher interns at Kerr Middle School, Greenwood School, Hamlin Upper Grade Center, Whittier School and Lincoln School.
Provided to the SouthtownStar
