Nazareth’s best practice on good citizenship is the Learning Styles and Strategies Specialist program. This is truly an exemplary model of service learning developed by faculty in our Education department. The new program, now in its second year, is an inclusive dual certification program that is site-based. Unlike conventional college coursework, Nazareth faculty now teach junior-year Education courses on site in public schools in Monroe, Ontario and Wayne counties. These faculty members also volunteer their time to assist teachers and students in the site schools.
Each semester approximately 75 Nazareth students who plan to become teachers devote a minimum of four hours a week to serve in the schools in which their courses take place. This is not classroom observation time or student teaching; rather, it is direct service offered by aspiring teachers to practicing teachers and their students. For example: Nazareth students may provide instructional support to small groups of children or individuals; develop materials that teachers may use in reading instruction; and help prepare students for end-of-year testing. In all contexts, the Nazareth students provide attention to children that might not be available to them in large class settings. This year students in the Learning Styles and Strategies Specialist Program provided service in 30 public schools, contributing in total more than 20,200 hours of service.
Students learn about education, children, and teaching in a variety of ways. Aspiring teachers in our inclusive teacher education program are learning the complexities of teaching children with diverse learning needs. The service the Nazareth students provide is making a difference in the lives of children by supporting their achievement and increasing opportunities for their academic success.
Perhaps the value of this program is best expressed in the words of the principal at a participating elementary school: “”I have seen first-hand the benefits of the service this program provides to young children . [The Nazareth students'] participation in 13 classrooms is directly tied to increased student achievement, and thus is a significant community service for our learning community . The students in the Nazareth program are learning the complex role of teacher, while modeling good citizenship for our students. They often spend more time in classrooms than is expected of them, and are aware of the important role they play in the lives of young learners. The program is a model of school/community partnership, and deserves to be honored for its focus on community service as an integral component of higher education.”"
Nazareth Education Department web site: http://www.naz.edu/dept/education/
