• Teacher Academy juniors and seniors visited the Rhode Island College campus to collaborate with college students enrolled in the Foundations of Education class on campus. Early Enrollment students taking FNED100: Schooling in a Democratic Society have been learning about diversity, stereotyping, bias and other social injustices which have affected American education throughout history. Students were invited to meet with the on-campus students at Henry Barnard Elementary School.
• Principal Jessica Borges welcomed students who then met Dr. Karen Cabraro’s Foundations of education class.  All students joined in an icebreaker activity which directed them to stand in a line according to their birth date without talking.  This activity proved fun as well as informative as it highlighted the importance of communication. Students were the grouped to discuss what they felt were the most important parts of their lives.  Many similarities were shared as students discussed their interests and goals. Academy students had many questions regarding college life including choosing classes, living on campus, college advisors, academic supports available, commuting, credits, and of course the campus food!

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Teacher Academy seniors were invited to visit some Henry Barnard Elementary School classrooms and stay for recess with the students. Academy students were honored to meet Ms. Gent’s Kindergarten class in Room 113 as well as Ms. Hess’ and Ms. Foster’s grade 2 class. This visit sparked excitement as the senior Teacher Academy students are preparing for their Internship experiences which will begin in February. Students gain the experience and knowledge of teaching through their fieldwork as they develop an Action Research question to be answered through this valuable real-world experience.

Senior Teacher Academy student, Giselle Mendez, led a lesson focusing on the turning of leaves in the fall.  Students read along as she ended the lesson by reciting the poem “Falling Leaves” with the class. 

Students then used some leaves which were gathered by the academy students to trace. Students made collages which they shared with the Mount Pleasant High School community. As a reflective piece, Teacher Academy students discussed the importance of creating lessons which can appeal to multiple intelligences.  By incorporating audio, visual, and kinesthetic aspects to a lesson, teachers can more easily help students reach academic success.

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Teacher Academy seniors earned their Junior Achievement Certificates after successfully completing the course. Senior Vice President of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management skills, Mr. Bart Orr, awarded students their certificates after the final class during which students cross-referenced career cluster descriptions to rate and categorize careers in high-demand industries. Students agreed that learning about soft skills in interviews, identifying work priorities, researching high-growth jobs, and creating a personal brand are all skills which will greatly benefit them in the future regardless of the career path they decide to pursue.

Left to right: Bart Orr, Marieme Diallo, Andy Trochez, Alannah Sanchez, Shyla Ruth, Tyeace Dakalah, Yosiah Agosto.

Missing: Aaliyah Cameron, Alizeyah Carrion, D’Ajanae Cole, Giselle Mendez.

Teacher Academy seniors toured the Dreamland Wax Museum in Boston Massachusetts to conduct research on how field trips and/or out of school activities can enhance classroom learning.  Students were introduced to the history of wax figures as well as the delicate process of wax figure creation.  They were also able to download the Dreamland App which gave them the ability to be part of several augmented virtual reality experiences with historical figures such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Regan, and Martin Luther King Jr.  Icons from the world of science, technology, and entertainment, were also displayed such as Albert Einstein, Mark Zuckerberg, Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Ghandi, Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Princess Diana, Tom Brady, Al Pacino, President Donald Trump, and Former President Obama.

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Teacher Academy students practiced for the Parapro Assessment.  This is the first attempt for juniors to reach the Rhode Island State goal of 461.  Students took practice Parapro tests on line and then worked on areas needed to be successful.  Many students were within a few points of the state goal this year so far. Teacher Academy junior, Elly Bisono, reached proficiency on her first try. We are all very proud of her and the effort it took to succeed.  Other students will get another chance to take the assessment in May.  Students will continue to practice the skills required to reach the state acceptable score.

Teacher Academy Juniors continue to learn about social injustice through their research of the growth of American education. After brainstorming and peer chat sessions, students have chosen topics revolving around the chronological evolution of American education. Topics which they felt were quite influential include the Scopes Monkey Trial, NAACP, Brown vs The Board of Education, Women in education, Civil Rights, Special Education, Multiple Intelligences, School Laws ex. No Child Left Behind, Teach for America, and school shootings.  Students are creating lesson plans which will be taught in class based on their topics.  They must also display an agenda with a clear learning objective, have a student assessment, use classroom management and engagement techniques, and speak and dress in a professional manner.  After their teaching experience, they will be given feedback from their peers which will be used as a part of their self-reflection.

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Teacher Academy sophomores have finally taken their student hats off and put their teacher hats on, while facilitating their first lesson experience. Academy students spent time designing an engaging lesson focused on the subject of their choice. Students used their foundational knowledge of the workshop-model, objectives, assessment, and lesson design and put it into practice. Lessons spanned every academic category ranging from mathematics, to physical education, to foreign language. Numerous students took an artistic approach to their lesson, where students were given more room to engage with their own freedom of expression.

Taysha Rondon facilitated a beautiful lesson focused on art therapy and allowed students to explore their voice through a creative lens. John Deleon transferred his soccer skills from the field to the classroom as he led his classmates through a series of drills to give his students a true kinesthetic experience. Imani Ramirez helped his colleagues prepare for the future as he took them through a step-by-step resume workshop. Keylly Villasenor shared her passion and actively recruited for the debate team while she guided students through the art of rhetoric and argument.

Amy DeLaCruz, John Deleon, Ariana Penate, Imani Ramirez, Anthony Ramsey, and Fidelina Vargas all earned honor roll status for the second term.

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