RUMFORD — Three enthusiastic student teachers are applying new educational theories as well as learning new ones from their supervising teachers at Mountain Valley High School.

Tim Grivois of Norfolk, Mass., is teaching social studies classes under veteran teacher Chris Carver; Charli Sayward of York is teaching math under Lisa Russell and Katie Kilham; and Will Lane of Bath is teaching English and literature under the supervision of Meg Dougherty and Jim Aylward.

The three began their student teaching experience eight weeks ago and will continue for another eight weeks.

Lane, 21, is teaching the classic, “Lord of the Flies,” a novel that has been popular for decades and has recently been reintroduced at MVHS. In other classes, he is teaching “Romeo and Juliet” and “Death of a Salesman.”

“Both teachers have great relationships with their students,” Lane said. “The best thing about being a student teacher is being able to see multiple teaching styles.”

Lane surveyed his classes for individual interests and learning styles when he began, and he continues to do so.

“I feel I am connecting with students,” he said.

Grivois, 22, has fallen in love with the state and with the area. He plans to look for a teaching position in Maine when he graduates.

“I really like how tightly knit the community is here,” he said. “My high school graduating class was the same size as the whole school. I really enjoy it and feel I can do more.”

He is teaching American government, in which students are studying political philosophers, U.S. history and modern European history.

He said he decided to go into education because of the positive effects and assistance he received from several teachers as he was growing up. They had a profound effect on him, he said, and now he’d like to help others.

Sayward, 21, loves math and finds that it comes easily to her, so when she decided to major in education, there was no question that it would be math.

“I love working with the students,” she said. “I love math because of its logic. It’s black and white.”

When she’s not working with math, a large portion of her life is devoted to guiding rafters down Maine rivers.

Although she plans to become a math teacher, she wants first to spend a year or two out West, rafting rivers.

MVHS Principal Matt Gilbert is pleased to have student teachers hone their skills each year at the school.

“They have a positive influence on students, and this group really wants to be involved,” he said.

He said the University of Maine at Farmington program does a good job with its student teachers. The UMF supervisor of student teachers, Barbara Eretzian, visits the school and the young student teachers periodically to provide feedback and to hold them accountable for what they are doing.

“We get many student teachers, partly because of our staff who recognize an obligation to give back to the profession,” Gilbert said. “And they see benefits when they see students come in with current practices.”