The students will continue their studies and research in the education field.

LEWISTON – The Collaborative Learning And School Success professional teacher program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College announces the achievement of candidacy status for four of its students.

Katie Bunker, Cyndi Polisky, Karen Erdmann and Linda Bernier have successfully completed scholarly and practicum work in the elementary education field, attaining proficiency in child development, content knowledge, technology, diversity, educational philosophy and professionalism. The students will continue to study and research the elementary education field at the graduate level.

Paul G. Caron, Ph.D, assistant professor of CLASS: mathematics and science, said during candidacy the students work with mentor teachers at two professional development partner schools in Auburn: Sherwood Heights Elementary School and Auburn Middle School.

“Based on the concept of simultaneous renewal, both the mentor teachers and candidates collaborate to create and apply learning curricula and practices based on current research,” said Caron. “They share their knowledge and talents in creating effective learning environments benefiting all students.”

In addition to attending regular classes for their academic major, the CLASS candidates spend one and a half days a week at one of the partner schools and devote four to five hours of the time with students in the classroom.

The candidates are beginning the process of making connections between what they’ve learned and what they see in the classroom. Achieving candidacy status gives the students more time to practice the theories they’ve researched and studied.

According to Cyndi Polisky, “The CLASS PDS program will give me the confidence, the knowledge and the leadership ability to create a positive and safe learning environment in a classroom where I will be able to demostrate my knowledge and gain experience.”

Karen Erdmann added, “The CLASS PDS program allows future teachers the opportunity to experience a classroom atmosophere long before they actually begin teaching. This is a unique and valuable experience for all those who wish to teach.”

Upon completion of the candidacy period, the students work as teaching interns for a year under the guidance of mentors. Students then graduate with a bachelor’s degree in a content area, an education minor, an elementary education certificate and 36 graduate credits. Anyone interested in the program can call 753-6618 for more information.