This January, 28 teachers-in-training went from sitting behind a desk to leading a classroom. For many, participation in the Jan Term course “Diverse School-Based Internship” provided their first teaching experience.

“The students did not hesitate to utilize me as a resource,” says David Schein ’09, who interned in a mathematics classroom at Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson. “[The students] tended to present me, ostensibly, with a similar level of respect as they showed their teachers – exemplary, considering their ages.”

Participation in the Jan Term course is a requirement for all Education minors. This year, students were placed in 20 different schools throughout Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“We identify schools with a good ethnic and cultural mix, so our students can work with students from different backgrounds, experiences and learning styles,” says course advisor and Professional Development School Liaison Donna Denison.

McDaniel students work with teachers who serve as mentors in the classroom. They teach, assist with special education students, tutor, and help teachers with other daily tasks.

“I lead the warm-up in all three classes, and usually lead half of the lesson,” says Caitlin Concannon ’09, who interned at Frederick High School with sociology and world history teachers. “I grade papers… and plan the next day’s lesson after school.”

“I work with three children who are deaf and or hard of hearing,” says Jaime Rowe ’08, who interned at Waverly Elementary in Baltimore with kids who have cochlear implants. “We help them do tasks in their everyday classroom and pull them out when they need extra help. I help my mentor adapt the curriculum for the student to understand it better and then help her teach the child.”

At the end of the internship, students are evaluated based on their professional disposition and a journal that they are required to keep, reflecting on their experience.

“Every day I learned something new that has helped me think about my future,” says Rowe.

Since the College believes that classroom teachers need a strong and broad academic background, students major in a content area and minor in Education, earning a teacher certification in elementary, middle or secondary school. They go on to teach in Maryland, or in states with a reciprocity agreement.