What do a computer programmer, CityYear Manchester volunteer, a former banker, a literacy tutor, and a special education paraprofessional all have in common? They are all members of the newest and largest TRRE cohort. In May, we welcomed 15 future educators to our program. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Cohort 4 (2020 - 2021) to the TRRE program!
Cohort 4 is unique not only in its size, but also in the circumstances under which the program has been operating. With social distancing the norm, the TRRE program adapted coursework and orientations to virtual formats. These measures have been extended through the summer and have led to a different entrance to graduate school for our new residents compared to past cohorts. This means that the residents, while having met many times over Zoom, have yet to meet each other, or other members of the TRRE program in person. This includes their teaching mentors, who they have met virtually.
Although operating within the Covid-19-imposed environment of remote learning and communication presented challenges, Tom Schram and Bryan Mascio were able to work with teaching mentors and residents alike to create optimal pairings for the fall. Mascio shared examples of positives that arose from the changes implemented this spring. “Some potential mentor teachers [took] advantage of technology during incoming resident “visits” by sending them pictures or videos of their classroom, and/or including them in google hangout sessions with their classes.”
“The process of finding placements for our Cohort 4 residents has benefited greatly from the flexibility and openness of teachers in our partnership schools.” said Schram. “Likewise, we appreciated the trust that our residents put into those of us coordinating the process as they demonstrated time and again a healthy balance of commitment, focus, patience, and good humor. In the period since their initial pairings, mentors and residents have continued to find ways to connect and start building the relationships that will carry them into the opening of school in the fall.”
This summer, Cohort 4 residents have been busy with orientation, coursework and co-planning with their teacher mentors since joining TRRE.
The TRRE summer community-based internships will also look a little different this year as well. With a little creativity from our Director of Community Engagement, Emilie Coppinger, community partners, and the Cohort 4 residents, residents were placed in virtual internships designed to help them become enmeshed in the communities where they will be beginning their residencies in the fall. The uncertainty during the spring months of what summer would look like presented challenges, “just like many businesses and organizations in the state, our partners had no idea what their summer would look like. Conversations were pretty vague for a while, which was stressful for partners and for our residents. I am so grateful for how understanding, supportive, and flexible both the TRRE residents and community partners have been through this whole process.” Coppinger shared. “It has been fantastic seeing the creativity flow as residents and partners brainstorm how to virtually engage with the community. I cannot wait to see these projects come to fruition.”
Three cohort 4 residents’ plans provide an example of potential summer internships this year. Rachel Harvey, Matt Berger and Annabel Nash, placed in Conway Elementary School as residents beginning in August, will complete their summer internship with the Conway Public Library. Founded in 1900, the mission of Conway Public Library is “to create an environment that promotes lifelong learning and community engagement”. The library will virtually host all three interns this summer, during which they will work side by side with library staff. The residents will contribute to programs that include library summer reading, Google applied digital skills and a National Geographic plastic pollution tracking program. These programs are designed with the intention of helping to offset what is known as the “summer slide,” a phenomenon in which student academic skills decline while school is not in session. The library hopes to help the interns gain a greater appreciation of learning outside of the public-school environment, as well as the “power of public library/school collaboration.” “We look forward to working with Rachel, Matt and Annabel as they help and support our children grow and learn this summer.” said Library Director David Smolen. Residents are excited about their work with the Library as well, Nash explained “Interning at the library during social distancing has been a bit of a challenge, but I am looking forward to being a part of some exciting activities that are planned for the summer.”
At this time, the future is unpredictable but we are certain about one thing. TRRE will continue to learn, adapt, and adjust in order to provide an experience that allows all of our residents to meet their potential as excellent educators.
Comments
Post a Comment