MASD Welcomes PSU Resident Teachers

MASD Welcomes PSU Resident Teachers
Posted on 10/22/2019

PSU resident teachers 

MASD is proud to partner with Penn State Harrisburg in the implementation of their new student teaching model known as the Teacher Residency Collaborative Program. In this new model, four PSU education students will spend the entire school year working in an MASD classroom with a mentor teacher. The Resident Teachers will be provided opportunities to teach and engage with students and parents much sooner than in the traditional student teaching model used in the past. They will not simply observe and shadow the classroom teacher, they will be the classroom teacher through collaborative teaching models such as co-teaching and parallel teaching.

This hands-on model has already proven effective. The Resident Teachers have shared that they are having experiences that they would have never had if they were just observers, such as having the opportunity to talk to parents about student concerns, and learning behavior modification and classroom management tips. And most of all, all four Resident Teachers are receiving confirmation that teaching is exactly what they desire to do when they graduate. Hear about their experiences in their own words.


Jessica HoretskyJessica Horetsky
Resident Teacher at Fink with Kristi Rothrock, 3rd Grade (Sept/Oct) and Gail Jones, 4th Grade (Nov. -June)

I graduated from Middletown Area High School in 2015 which was the last class to graduate from the old high school. I attended West Chester University from 2015 to 2016 and then transferred to PSU Harrisburg. My major is Elementary Education PreK-4th, and I am also taking classes for my ESL and Special Education Certifications. My ideal job would be with MASD teaching 3rd grade. My favorite thing about being placed at Fink is the student population. I value all my student/teacher relationships and enjoy providing support/stability for my students. The kids at Fink, and Mrs. Rothrock, have taught me how important it is to be another form of support for my students.

I started off the year with Mrs. Rothrock which was a blessing because I got to experience the start of school in a 3rd grade class. I have learned so much from Mrs. Rothrock. She has taught me how to manage classroom behavior, how important it is to allow students to self-regulate their behaviors, and how we can intervene when appropriate. It's bittersweet that she is leaving, but I know I can always rely on her for support. I will be moving to a fourth-grade class with Mrs. Jones and I know I will continue to learn and grow in her classroom.


Alexis ImlerAlexis Imler
Resident Teacher at Fink with Jannelle Shuey, 1st Grade

I am a 2016 graduate of Bedford High School where I took Dual Enrollment classes at Allegheny College of Maryland, Penn Highlands Community College, and Harrisburg Area Community College. At PSU I am majoring in PreK-4 Early Childhood Education with a certificate in ESL. My dream job would be a teacher and working with students of all ages because I find that there is something special about all grade levels because you are able to watch the students learn and grow while being a part of that process. The location of my dream job would be in a classroom full of students. No matter where life takes me, if I have students, I am where I am supposed to be. Although, I may be a bit partial to Middletown. Over the past four years I have grown close with the community through being a Penn State Harrisburg student and now being a co-teacher at Fink Elementary my heart is even stronger for the area. I have always loved learning and if I can instill that same love of learning into my future students, then I consider my dream to come true. 

Being placed in MASD was one of my residency goals. MASD holds strong values of family, compassion, and respect. When zooming in on Fink Elementary or commonly known as the 'Fink Family,' I have felt welcomed from the first day that I walked into the front doors. I noticed that everyone at Fink Elementary gets along on the staff. They do not talk bad about one another and truly care for everyone's well-being; it is rare to find a job where all of the staff gets along like the Fink staff. The staff, faculty, and students greet one another with a smile, conversation, or a simple hello which goes to show that MASD shines positivity not only on their students, but to all those around. Another highlight from MASD are the students. The students come from various backgrounds but come together as one in the classroom to learn and support one another. It is a wonderful experience to watch the students create relationships inside and outside the classroom with their peers, teachers, faculty, families, and staff. MASD is a District that I am proud to be a part of.


Emma LerchenEmma Lerchen
Resident Teacher at Fink with Sherry Margucci, 1st Grade

I graduated from Annville-Cleona High School in 2016 and chose to continue my education at PSU Harrisburg to major in Elementary Education PreK-4. After graduation I would love to stay in the area and teach any grade in my discipline. I love working with all ages of students. Being able to stay and teach in Middletown would be incredible. I love the close knit community of the District and specifically Fink. Everyone is very welcoming and great at including us as resident teachers. I love connecting with my students and I was very glad that we have such a great group of kids. Each one of them is so special and unique in their own way.


Kara ManciniKara Mancini
Resident Teacher at MAMS with Jennifer Friedrichs, 6th Grade Math

I graduated from Cedar Cliff High School in 2014. I attended Slippery Rock University for 2 and a half years before Penn State Harrisburg. I am an Elementary Education Grades 4-8 Mathematics Major. My dream job would be 6th or 7th grade in Middletown or really any high-need school. I am really interested in helping middle school students navigate life and help them to succeed in whatever they choose to do in life. I actually chose to be placed at MAMS and got accepted to be there. I was placed there last year during my junior year and absolutely loved it so much I wanted to come back. I love helping students know, no matter where they come from, that they are loved. I want them to love coming to school and be in my classroom because it’s a fun, safe, and comfortable learning space for them.



 

 

 

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