Donald M.Austin - Newark Academy

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42 OUTREACH fall 2007 Rewards The Teaching of BY AMY SHERMAN ’06 Perspectives from a Summer Session Intern As I walked into <strong>Newark</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> on my first day as an intern, the halls were swarmed with more students than I had ever seen. Not only was I shocked to see the building overflowing with so many children, but in the past, I had entered those doors with my homework in hand as a student…
I was now about to have my eyes opened to a completely new and exciting perspective of the classroom – the perspective of the teacher. My schedule as an intern was made up of four classes a day, consisting of 5th and 6th grade students. I had been assigned to assist a science teacher for two periods, a math teacher for one period and an English teacher for one period. I had a unique and wonderful experience with each teacher and class to which I was assigned. In science, I learned how important it is for children to be engaged in hands-on activities. Nearly every day the teacher, Mrs. Bier, had a new experiment for the students to do. On one of the first days a student said, “I have never had a science class like this before!” I was able to be part of this great learning experience for the children by preparing and presenting several of my own lessons, such as a chromatography experiment. Even when I did not lead the class, I felt free to chime in to the teacher’s lesson, as well as walk around and help the students. One of the highlights of my experience teaching at NA was when Mrs. Bier and I placed a surreptitious ransom note in a student’s desk to challenge the class to use problem solving skills to discover who wrote the mysterious note. Although the original plan was to ask the students to clean out their desks (and hence guide them to discover the note), one of the students beat us to the task and found the note before we had planned. Enthusiastic and confused by the note, the classroom suddenly transformed into a crime scene with fifteen little detectives. It was amazing to see the light bulbs go on in the students’ heads when they realized that chromatography was the means to solving this real life situation. I learned how valuable it is to connect seemingly useless lessons with practical applications. Math class also opened up a whole other perspective of teaching to me. I was exposed to the struggle that many teachers face when students are at different levels of academic ability. Through observation and experience, I learned many methods on how to manage a classroom where there is a wide spectrum of academic ability. For example, it is useful to have extra individual work or games ready at all times to give to students who are more advanced, while spending individual time with others who are struggling. I was given a third, completely different perspective of the life of a teacher in English. As an intern in this class, I learned the importance of modeling an example for the students. I also learned how hard it is to motivate students to think and be creative, but observed ways to break through their resistance. Lastly, I learned that I am a horrible speller. (NOTE: Always have a Webster’s Dictionary on hand!) I could not have asked for a more rewarding summer experience. I feel as though I have learned so much about teaching and I am excited to continue the journey. Although teaching definitely comes with struggles at times, there are no words to describe the satisfaction I felt while watching the students succeed. ALUMNI PROFILE fall 2007 43
Page 1 and 2: outreach Donald M. Austin Newark Ac
Page 3 and 4: Contents 8 22 26 32 Features 8 The
Page 5 and 6: COMMENCEMENT On Sunday, June 10, 20
Page 7 and 8: FIRST-YEAR IMPRESSIONS OF SPIRIT WE
Page 9 and 10: FOR CURRENT SCORES AND ATHLETIC NEW
Page 11 and 12: Convocation Address William D. Gree
Page 13 and 14: today to undertake our Academy inte
Page 15 and 16: The Austin family: George, Kiki, Do
Page 17 and 18: global school must be our students
Page 19 and 20: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? JIM MANNING NA
Page 21 and 22: These and other efforts to reduce t
Page 23 and 24: sonof porridge ON OF PORRIDGE were
Page 25 and 26: Captivated by the rich textures of
Page 27 and 28: A N A M A Z I N G Natural Habitat A
Page 29 and 30: Return to the UK! Twenty-seven soph
Page 31 and 32: Upon arriving at our first sight-se
Page 33 and 34: Two Donor Receptions Endowment Camp
Page 35 and 36: F First, and of least significance,
Page 37 and 38: 1 2 3 5 6 4 ALMA MATER LUNCH April
Page 39 and 40: POINTS OF VIEW Alumni Art Exhibit T
Page 41 and 42: OCTOBER 14, 2007 remember Newark Ac
Page 43: Class of 1967 Joe Ball, Deepti Haje
Page 47: Parents of alumni: If this publicat

Donald M.Austin - Newark Academy

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