Future Teachers at Lewiston-Auburn College
Earn Candidacy Status
New teaching candidates at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn
College. These four students in the CLASS (Collaborative Learning
And School Success) teacher education program at Lewiston-Auburn
College have achieved candidacy status and are now working
with mentor teachers with the program’s partner schools.
From left to right are Katie Bunker from Minot, Cyndi Polisky
from Auburn, Karen Erdmann from Topsham, and Linda Bernier
from Poland.
The CLASS (Collaborative Learning And School Success) professional
teacher program at the University of Southern Maine’s
Lewiston-Auburn College is proud to announce the achievement
of candidacy status for four of its students. Katie Bunker,
Cyndi Polisky, Karen Erdmann and Linda Bernier have successfully
completed scholarly and practicum work in the elementary education
field attaining proficiency in child development, content
knowledge, technology, diversity, educational philosophy,
and professionalism. These students will continue to study
and research the elementary education field at the graduate
level.
Dr. Paul G. Caron, assistant professor of CLASS: Mathematics
and Science, stated that during candidacy the students work
with mentor teachers at two professional development partner
schools in Auburn: Sherwood Heights Elementary School and
Auburn Middle School. “Based on the concept of simultaneous
renewal, both the mentor teachers and candidates collaborate
to create and apply learning curricula and practices based
on current research.” Added Caron: “They share
their knowledge and talents in creating effective learning
environments benefiting all students.”
In addition to attending regular classes for their academic
major, the CLASS candidates spend one and a half days per
week at one of the partner schools, and devote at least 4-5
hours of this time with students in the classroom. The candidates
are beginning the process of making connections between what
they’ve learned and what they see in the classroom.
Achieving candidacy status gives the students more time to
practice the theories they’ve researched and studied.
According to Cyndi Polisky, “The CLASS PDS program will
give me the confidence, the knowledge, and the leadership
ability to create a positive and safe learning environment
in a classroom where I will be able to demostrate my knowledge
and gain experience.” Karen Erdmann added, “The
CLASS PDS program allows future teachers the opportunity to
experience a classroom atmosophere long before they actually
begin teaching. This is a unique and valuable experience for
all those who wish to teach."
Upon completion of the candidacy period of the CLASS program,
the students work as teaching interns for a full year under
the guidance of mentors. Students then graduate with a Bachelors
Degree in a content area, an Education Minor, an elementary
education certificate, and thirty-six graduate credits. Anyone
interested in the program is encouraged to call 753-6618 for
more information.
