RWU program places student teachers in Bristol, Warren, Fall River

BRISTOL – An elementary-school teacher residency launched by Roger Williams University’s department of education earlier in the 2017-18 academic year introduced sophomore student teachers to schools in Bristol, Warren and Fall River.

Begun as a pilot program at Bristol’s Rockwell Elementary School in 2016, this cohort will include 50 sophomores who will be placed at Hugh Cole Elementary School in Warren, Rockwell Elementary in Bristol and William S. Greene Elementary School in Fall River.

Due to popular demand, the program is being expanded by the education department for secondary education majors.

Students participating in the program are placed in a local elementary school for both the fall and spring semesters and operate under the supervision of one of the school’s teachers and an RWU education department faculty member.

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While some college and university education departments place students in experiential learning situations only as upperclassmen, according to a news release, this program is designed to increase the amount of time student teachers have in live classrooms where they observe host teachers manage, plan and develop the curriculum. By the spring semester, student teachers will be expected to plan and lead lessons on their own.

Rachel McCormack, professor of literacy education and director of the elementary education program at RWU, said in a statement: “There are so many dynamics that are going on in a K-12 classroom, you can’t really break it down in a university classroom. … This is on-the-job training.”

In addition, residents will have access to an online platform that will feature readings, active forums and prompts.

Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.