Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 24, 1995 TAG: 9508250024
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
It has been instructive: She has learned to work with different types of children.
And it has provided her with valuable experience that she can use in her career.
Warner is more convinced now ever that she wants to be a teacher when she graduates from Shenandoah University in Winchester next spring.
She is one of 14 college students who participated this summer in Roanoke's intern program that enabled aspiring teachers to get experience in the classroom.
The students worked with regular teachers, assisting them, observing them and learning what a teacher's job is really like.
Warner worked with elementary children at Westside and Forest Park schools for six weeks this summer.
The Roanoke school system began the intern program three years ago as a recruitment tool.
Most of the interns are rising seniors majoring in education, but several in this year's program already had earned their degrees. Most come from colleges and universities in Virginia.
Some interns, such as Warner, grew up in Roanoke, but others come from other parts of the state.
Warner is a William Fleming High School graduate who has been active in the Friends of the Roanoke Symphony and is a guest soloist at many events in the Roanoke Valley.
"We've recruited some excellent teachers from the program," said Joe Copenhaver, director of human resources for the school system. Two interns in this year's program already have been hired for permanent jobs.
When the students accept the internships, they are under no obligation to accept a job if the city offers them one. And the city has no obligation to hire them.
The intern program provides classroom experience for the rising seniors before they do their student teaching. That is one of its big benefits, said Guan Wyatt, an intern from Virginia State University .
"I would have done it free if they had given me somewhere to live," said Wyatt, who lives in Surry County.
"You don't get paid for student teaching, but this [program] provides experience and you get paid, too."
In addition to paying the interns $10 an hour, the school system provides a room and meal allowance for those who live outside Roanoke. Interns from Roanoke live with their families and provide their own food.
Wyatt, who is majoring in elementary education, said she feels better prepared now for her student teaching this year.
"The teacher that I was placed with this summer is excellent. She is like a role model. I have learned a lot," said Wyatt, who worked at the Forest Park School.
"It helps prepare you for student teaching. Now I feel like I am not going into it blind," said Courtneay Henson, a rising senior majoring in elementary education and English at Mary Washington College.
"It has been an eye opener. It has given us hands-on experience," said Henson, who lives in Madison Heights near Lynchburg.
"This is more of a real summer job. It will benefit me in the future."
Catrina Jones, a rising senior at Radford University, said the intern program provides a boost for the students' resumes.
"This is something that you can put down as experience. It could help you get a job," she said.
Jones, who grew up in Roanoke and graduated from William Fleming High School, said her summer work has strengthened her desire to be an elementary teacher.
"I would like to work with fourth- and fifth-graders. I prefer them to kindergartners and the younger children," said Jones, who worked at the Forest Park School.
Jones has wanted to be a teacher since she coached sandlot cheerleaders and found she liked it.
Wyatt did not decide to become a teacher until she got to college. Her mother is a teacher and she never thought when she was growing up that she would be one, too
For Warner, teaching comes almost naturally. She has an unusual vocal ability that was exhibited at an early age. She loves to work with children, and she said she enjoyed her summer.
The interns said they learned more about children and the challenges for teachers.
"There is such a wide diversity in the ability of children. That is going to be a challenge, I am sure," said Jones. "Some children fight against you and won't ask for help."
Wyatt said children are more disorderly than she expected. "I wasn't prepared for the discipline problems," she said.
Henson said each day was different and presented new pressures. "I feel like I earned my money and I would like to do it again next summer," she said.
Copenhaver said interns work in both elementary and high schools. The school system tries to get a diversified group of interns each year, he said. The city usually has 15 interns each summer, but one withdrew this summer.
He said the teachers also like the program because the interns often have creative ideas that can help them. "It has worked out very well. We have been pleased with it," he said.
by CNB