Messenger - Vol. 2, No. 2, Page 13 Winter 1993 On Campus Teacher Corps tests classrooms Education majors who take part in the Delaware Teacher Corps learn right away if they are compatible with their major, because the program places students in non-profit community centers as well as public and private schools as early as the freshman year. According to Barbara Van Dornick, the director of student services and teacher recruitment in the College of Education, "We encourage students to volunteer in the schools as early as possible so they get exposure to children. The Delaware Teacher Corps is an excellent way for undergraduates to get that experience." Students may elect to participate in the program for up to three credits each semester. Spending 30 flexible hours per credit at their assigned placements, the future teachers help children with their assignments, read stories to them and grade papers. The teacher corps is administered by Sylvia Brooks, coordinator of the elementary teacher education program. Laurie Kinas, an early childhood education major, especially enjoyed the education practicum the first time she did it during a Winter Session, and was back in the fall for another semester. "Spending time in the classroom has taught me things I would have never learned in a course. I now know how to handle things like behavioral problems and parental confrontations in ways I never would have thought of before," she says. In addition to the class time, course requirements include attending monthly discussions, keeping a daily journal and writing a personal experience paper. While most students have some interest in the field of education, any student may enroll in the pass/fail elective. Brooks says she tries to work with students as much as possible to ensure they are happy with their assignments. She allows teacher corps participants to decide whether they prefer to be in an elementary, middle, nursery or specialized school. Other options include religious-affiliated sites, community centers, after-school programs and ethnic schools. "Our main objective is to reach out and help the communities," Brooks said. For those without transportation, placements are available within walking distance to campus. Conveniently close to the Newark campus, West Park Elementary has one third of the 15 students in the program dispersed throughout its classrooms. Principal David McCarthy, who works around the University student's schedules and grade-level preferences, says he is grateful for the assistance, but no one appreciates the extra help more than the teachers. "The amount of extra time I save when I have help in the class in unbelievable. Just having my papers graded saves hours alone," says Ernie Ferraro, a third grade teacher at West Park. Nancy Gross, a sophomore elementary education major, sums up the feelings of several University participants: "Having us (students) in the classroom is great for everyone. We get experience; the kids get extra attention; and the teachers get helpers." -Mindy Maslynsky, Delaware '95