#MigrantEducationProgram

[bloomsburgu]

MEP practicum provides rewarding experience

Bloomsburg University’s Migrant Education Program practicum extends beyond the typical teaching experience.

“The environment of the summer MEP was always positive and promoted ongoing learning, not only for the students, but for the interns as well,” said Molly McCafferty ’18, a two-year MEP participant and recent education graduate. “The main goal of MEP is to ensure all migrant students achieve challenging academic standards and graduate with a high school diploma (or complete a GED, and upon graduation are prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning and productive employment.”

McCafferty initially got involved with the MEP through BU’s three-credit summer practicum program offered. This past summer, she returned as a hired educational assistant.

“My practicum and MEP employment were significant in my preparation as a future educator,” McCafferty said. “It provided me with professional experience and enhanced my own education. MEP afforded me the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors and even though the summer program has ended, my relationship with my mentors is ongoing.”

McCafferty is one of a handful of College of Education students granted the opportunity to participate in this program. Reina Alberto ’18, also spent two summers with the program. First with the practicum program and then as a hired aid. Being from the Hazleton area, Alberto has a special connection to this program.

“I have a lot of personal sympathy for some of these students,” Alberto said. “Some have families who work tremendous amount of hours to be able to provide for them. This program is a stepping-stone into bridging the foundation between school and home. The power this program has is really enriching for the Hazleton community and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

According to Caryn Terwilliger, MEP practicum coordinator, the month-long summer experience at Hazletown School District offers numerous learning experiences.

“Practicum participants are paired with a mentor teacher in their area of certification to enhance cultural competence through the teaching of formal lessons, attendance in professional development workshops emphasizing ESL strategies and practices and through collaboration with families and teachers to plan for student success,” said Terwilliger, professor of teaching and learning. “The practicum is open to all education majors who have been formally admitted into the program.”

Students interested would be required to travel to the Hazletown area Monday-Friday for five weeks out of the summer. The practicum exists with the support of the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit who provide educational aid to the eligible Migrant Education students residing in 27 counties in the region.

  — Jenna Fuller, mass communications

MEP Practicum PROFSTUD 312 (3 credits) June into July 

The summer practicum immerses BU teacher candidates in a month-long summer school experience for English language learners in the Hazleton OR Central Dauphin School Districts. Practicum participants choose either the Hazleton or Harrisburg setting. 

Practicum participants are paired with a mentor teacher in their area of certification to enhance cultural competence through the teaching of formal lessons, attendance in professional development workshops emphasizing ESL strategies and practices, and through collaboration with families and teachers to plan for student success. The MEP Practicum requires daily travel (Monday-Friday) to either Hazleton or Harrisburg for five weeks.

This practicum is open to all education majors who meet BU’s program admission requirements, including clearances and expectations established by the PA Intermediate Unit that facilitates this state migrant education program. Contact Caryn Terwilliger, Department of Teaching and Learning, at cterwill@bloomu.edu for more information.

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#MigrantEducationProgram teachers learning about kenisthetic body movement in education . @laschools https://ift.tt/2J7E97b

[bloomsburgu]

MEP practicum provides rewarding experience

Bloomsburg University’s Migrant Education Program practicum extends beyond the typical teaching experience.

“The environment of the summer MEP was always positive and promoted ongoing learning, not only for the students, but for the interns as well,” said Molly McCafferty ’18, a two-year MEP participant and recent education graduate. “The main goal of MEP is to ensure all migrant students achieve challenging academic standards and graduate with a high school diploma (or complete a GED, and upon graduation are prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning and productive employment.”

McCafferty initially got involved with the MEP through BU’s three-credit summer practicum program offered. This past summer, she returned as a hired educational assistant.

“My practicum and MEP employment were significant in my preparation as a future educator,” McCafferty said. “It provided me with professional experience and enhanced my own education. MEP afforded me the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors and even though the summer program has ended, my relationship with my mentors is ongoing.”

McCafferty is one of a handful of College of Education students granted the opportunity to participate in this program. Reina Alberto ’18, also spent two summers with the program. First with the practicum program and then as a hired aid. Being from the Hazleton area, Alberto has a special connection to this program.

“I have a lot of personal sympathy for some of these students,” Alberto said. “Some have families who work tremendous amount of hours to be able to provide for them. This program is a stepping-stone into bridging the foundation between school and home. The power this program has is really enriching for the Hazleton community and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

According to Caryn Terwilliger, MEP practicum coordinator, the month-long summer experience at Hazletown School District offers numerous learning experiences.

“Practicum participants are paired with a mentor teacher in their area of certification to enhance cultural competence through the teaching of formal lessons, attendance in professional development workshops emphasizing ESL strategies and practices and through collaboration with families and teachers to plan for student success,” said Terwilliger, professor of teaching and learning. “The practicum is open to all education majors who have been formally admitted into the program.”

Students interested would be required to travel to the Hazletown area Monday-Friday for five weeks out of the summer. The practicum exists with the support of the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit who provide educational aid to the eligible Migrant Education students residing in 27 counties in the region.

  — Jenna Fuller, mass communications major

[bloomsburgu]

Education majors assist in migrant education program

Children of migratory agriculture workers have a better chance at future academic success thanks in part to a program called the Migrant Education Program (MEP) and students in Bloomsburg University’s College of Education are playing an important role.

The MEP, which just concluded its 22nd year in Hazleton and third year in Harrisburg, is a four-week program designed for children from kindergarten through grade 11, whose parents are involved in the agricultural business as migrant workers. At both sites, BU is partnering with the CSIU Migrant Education Program to facilitate a summer school/camp experience for English learners. This year the Hazleton program featured 70 students.The theme of this year’s session was the rain forest.

The National Migrant Education Program was established more than 50 years ago and exists today in most states to provide educational support to a highly mobile student population by utilizing experienced coordination among participating states, a national student information database, a sophisticated intrastate database and customized, evidence-based instruction to participants.

Caryn Terwilliger, associate professor of teaching and learning, spearheads the program for Bloomsburg University students.

“Our education majors participating in the MEP summer school/camp earn college credit while gaining valuable teaching experience that provides language and academic support to assist English learners,” Terwilliger said. “Having BU education majors working with learners in their certification area and being mentored by MEP teachers creates opportunities for these future teachers to understand how to plan and implement learning activities that are meaningful and relevant to the varied needs of their learners. Furthermore, this program provides our education majors a greater understanding of the important role of building professional rapport and relationships with students and their families.”

Molly McCafferty ’18 is in her third year working with the students in Hazleton and says the program not only benefits the children but also the BU students who participate in the program.

“I was studying abroad in Spain and just happened to be checking my email and saw a note from (BU professor) Dr. (Caryn) Terwilliger looking for help,” said McCafferty. “I started as an intern, then became an assistant and this year, I served as a teacher for students in grades 9-11.”

McCafferty added. “It’s a real joy to see the progression of the students learning, even from the second week to the fourth week, and knowing you are helping them get caught up in school. I also see them gain much more confidence in areas like reading and math. It is very rewarding.”

Michael Fox ’17, from Hazleton, is a fifth-grade teacher in the Hazleton School District. He started at Bloomsburg as an accounting major but soon changed his major to education. “I’ve always had a passion for teaching and I wanted to be involved in a hands-on program where I could work very closely with the students. This program offered that and more.”

A vital part of the preparation for any teacher is the work in preparing the lesson plan. The MEP is hands-on in that regard.

“Each Friday we plan for the following week by spending four hours getting ready,” says Fox. “We teach two lessons each day. Dr. Terwilliger then observes us. It is very helpful.”

One BU graduate, Jenny Lipps ’16, who knows first hand how the students feel because she arrived in the United States from Equador not knowing English.

“It was important for me to be part of this program because I wanted to share what I know and work to become a teacher,” said Lipps. “I know exactly what these students feel when they walk into the classroom and don’t understand anything.”

“In class, when you can’t understand what’s being said, it’s like waking up from a coma,” said Lipps, who came to the United States in 1992. “You can’t comprehend anything. You have to learn how to do everything all over again. Even how to dress and eat, all while trying to learn a new culture.”

“For the kids, it's tough,” Lipps added. “They move and get sent to school and are expected to know what’s going on in the classroom. I wish this program was bigger and could help more children.”

The program benefits children of all ages, but the younger the student, the easier it is for them to learn.

“This program strengthens the students both academically and socially,” said Fox. “Those coming in as kindergarteners are learning the basics, so in August when they start school they have a base to work from.”

Children can be in the program for up to three years and in those three years can have quite a progression in their skills. Reina Alberto ’18, a native of the Dominican Republic, is in her third year with MEP. 

“There was a student in the class my first year when I was doing a practicum,” said Alberto. “I’ve had him in class for each of the three years I have been here and I can really see the progression in language and confidence.”

Along with McCafferty, Fox, Lipps and Alberto, Jennifer Canales and two current BU students, Rebecca Bove and Alissa Hetherington were also part of the program. Both Bove and Hetherington feel the program gave them the confidence they needed to be teachers and the knowledge that they made the right decision in wanting to be a teacher.

“The benefits of the MEP summer school/camp always exceeds what our education majors expect,” Terwilliger said. “Not only does this experience develop their ideas about teaching and learning, but it also enhances their cultural awareness.”