Students from the Alamance-Burlington school system are working with seven teachers enrolled in the Master of Education program this summer as part of Elon's Summer Learning and Enrichment Academy. Details...
The program runs from June 16-July 22 and is designed to give teachers who are earning their master’s degrees at Elon the chance to work in a classroom setting with elementary and middle school students. This is the fourth year Elon has hosted the academy, with the focus this summer on special education students. The teachers fulfill the internship component required for graduation by teaching in the academy.
Each day from 8:30-11:30 a.m., teachers work with 15 students in small groups on learning topics such as reading, writing and math. This summer, teachers are teaching a special unit outside their normal discipline, says Judith Howard, director of the Elon M.Ed. program. The teachers also plan the entire academy.
“The major goal of the academy is to help these teachers learn how to plan,” says Howard. Special education students typically have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is tailored to their needs, and the academy helps teachers adapt the lesson to a particular student. “When they are placed in a certain teaching situation, they will know how to plan the lessons in a way that helps those students the best. Also, we like the fact that this academy provides a service to the community.” Local schoolchildren only pay $35 to cover supplies.
Stacy Noell serves as academy director. This is the third cohort of students to complete their M.Ed. degrees during Elon’s summer graduate program. They will receive their degrees in August.