Graduate Students at Journeys School

By Josh Kleyman,
Graduate Faculty

For three weeks, six graduate students have been at Journeys School immersed in ideas of innovative independent schools and preparing for two weeks of classroom teaching. We started our experience with a week of observations and seminars. In one of our seminars, we discussed the beginning of Parker Palmer’s “A Courage to Teach”. In the introduction he describes “teachers who…love learners, learning and the teaching life.” Through our observations and experiences, it is clear that this idea of passionate teaching is a reality at Journeys.

Week 2
The graduate students spent their second week in the classrooms of their host teacher taking on more of a teaching role. There was some observation and helping out, some team teaching and some graduate students teaching lessons. It was an exciting week of teaching, planning and learning! Here are some more details.

Sarah was fully immersed in lower elementary with Kalen and the rest of the team. She led a lesson on math and helped to facilitate other aspects of learning throughout the week.

Webbie was fully immersed in upper elementary with Tina, Laura and the rest of the team. She helped with snack, recess, science and math facts.

Pete was in Jo’s class helping to set up and teach middle school science. A highlight was his demonstration of convections cells using a candle, snow, and incense. Student observations and questions led to a lively discussion.

Julia taught in Karl’s social science class on Tuesday and Wednesday. She explored the concept of blizzards with her students; ironically on the day three graduate students could not make it to Journeys because of a ground blizzard in Kelly.

Tessa joined Jill’s class in upper school English. In the middle of the week, she facilitated and taught a game of Jeopardy exploring the Odyssey.

Katie was involved in Aaron’s Algebra and Biology classroom. She was observing, helping students with individual and group work, and by the end of the week was teaching an Algebra class.

Week 3
This past week graduate students were planning for their upcoming two weeks in the classroom, learning content, and planning creative lessons. There have been a lot of good ideas floating around the 2nd floor of the Teacher Learning Center this week. While the focus and energy has been on planning, graduate students have been helping out and getting into the classroom when possible. Some folks have been going to closings, some have joined Journeys, and some have helped out teaching. Everyone is excited for their upcoming two weeks of teaching.