Program helps preservice teachers gain experience

Twelve University of North Georgia (UNG) preservice teachers had a chance to lead classrooms at Summer Scholars STEM Institute from June 2-26 at UNG's Gainesville Campus. A total of nearly 100 students from the Buford City, Gainesville City and Hall County school systems who are entering fourth grade through eighth grade attended Summer Scholars.

The rising juniors and seniors at UNG created lesson plans based on Georgia science teaching standards and managed classrooms with the assistance of mentor teachers. They delivered lessons in science and engineering, splitting time between different grade levels to give them a variety of experiences.

Dr. Max Vazquez Dominguez, associate professor of science education, led the Summer Scholars STEM Institute. He said the less rigid format of the monthlong program, held Mondays through Thursdays, allowed preservice teachers the flexibility to learn as they led students.

The Summer Scholars STEM Institute was funded by support from the United Way of Hall County, Jackson EMC, Rotary of Gainesville, and the National Science Foundation.

Araseli Gonzalez, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in middle grades education, was grateful to figure out more about her future profession. She and fellow preservice teacher Cole Turner were able to thrive by meshing their different styles in their classroom.

"It gave me a new perspective on co-teaching and being able to work well with others," Gonzalez said.

She enjoyed seeing the students share their science and engineering projects with their parents on the final day of Summer Scholars STEM Institute.

Gonzalez previously earned an associate degree at Lanier Technical College and then worked for seven years before coming to UNG to pursue a career in education. She is hoping her presence in a classroom will encourage other Hispanic students to realize they can become teachers.

"I want to show students they can do it, and I believe in them," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez will spend her senior year as a student teacher at East Hall Middle School. One of her other inspirations for entering the teaching field was John Hardison, her English teacher at East Hall High School. She hopes to make a similar impression on her students.

"I love shaping minds, seeing kids as a whole person and any way I can help guide them," Gonzalez said.

Diana Aguilar, a junior from Buford, Georgia, pursuing a degree in elementary and special education, is part of UNG's Realizing Inspiring and Successful Educators Undergraduate Program (RISE UP). In RISE UP, the Hall County School District pays the tuition for future educators at UNG, and these UNG students serve as paraprofessionals while they are in the College of Education. This fall will mark the beginning of Aguilar's third year as a parapro at World Language Academy.

Aguilar was thankful to have the support of a mentor teacher during Summer Scholars STEM Institute.

While in high school, Aguilar served as a state officer for the Family Consumer Science Education student group, making education a natural career choice. She said UNG has been the ideal place to further hone her skills for what comes next.

"I have gotten so much out of this university, so much support from different organizations within the university," Aguilar said.

Bryan Lopez, a rising seventh-grader at Gainesville Middle School West, was glad he could make friends and practice his scientific skills at Summer Scholars.

"It's fun. It's great practice," Lopez said. "The things they teach us here, it gets us used to switching classes."