Hellenic College Prepares Future Teachers for Real-World Classroom Experience

(Article from the January 2012 Issue of the Orthodox Observer)

by Nayla Daly

“I invite students to get into the messiness of learning,” said Alice McIntyre, professor and chairwoman of the Elementary Education Program at Hellenic College. “In my classroom, I educate my students to facilitate a teaching environment where children can be enthusiastic about learning. I look for the ‘Aha!’ moment on my students faces.”

This is the philosophy that guides Dr. McIntyre and the Elementary Education program at the college. She has been engaged in activist research and education for many years, and capitalizes on various opportunities to provide a classroom community where students can engage, critique, and question educational and psychological dialogue. She brings 35 years of experience to the program and an unrivaled passion for various communities through her teaching and research. Her life-long journey in education has led her to Hellenic College.

 “My instructors have taught me how to create a learning environment that is open to all students of any race or ethnicity and to create a safe and loving environment that welcomes children into the classroom,” said Alexandra Ritsi, a graduating student of the program.

Dr. McIntyre believes that curriculum and classroom practice must be critical, participatory, academically challenging, and culturally sensitive.

The program offers an integrated course of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in elementary education. It enables students to obtain licensure as elementary school teachers (grades 1-6) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This program also consists of a strong liberal arts component. Students become familiar with current developments in curriculum and instruction, understand the role of schools and teachers in society, and are prepared to meet the needs of students from diverse racial, socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. Such training is critical for anyone who hopes to be an effective teacher in an increasingly diverse and pluralistic public education system. In addition to preparing teachers for teaching in public schools, the program also prepares teachers who wish to serve community schools within the Archdiocese. “The elementary education program is a rigorous and selective program with high criteria. It has become a reputable program within the Boston school system.” says Hellenic College Dean Demetrios S. Katos.

Sarah Quatrale, a 5th grade teacher at Curley Middle School in Boston has enjoyed having Hellenic College students in her classroom. “Students from Hellenic College are the most well prepared students I’ve ever had. My recent student, Alexandra Ritsi, had lesson plans ready and she connected well with students.

When Dr. McIntyre was asked what makes the program rigorous, she said, “The elementary education program is highly interwoven between onsite classes and real world experience in the classroom in four different courses, they are required to engage in practice teaching in a local public school.” This approach to the curriculum enables students to better understand the theories and research they are exploring in the classroom.

Ms. Ritsi, who just completed student teaching at the Curley K-8 School, said she was able to apply what she learned to her classroom. “I created a unit on mountains and mountain ranges and was able to put those lessons into practice with my fifth grade class when we were learning about geography in social studies. Also, I had a pre-practicum with an amazing teacher at the Agassiz Elementary School and I was able to weave some of her teaching methods into my classroom at the Curley School.”

Donna Elias, a graduate of the program who has been teaching and pursuing higher education, said, “The courses paired with the pre-practicum and student teaching responsibilities prepared me for my career in teaching. My professors in the Elementary Education program at Hellenic were wonderful. I appreciated that they were able to show multiple methods on how to achieve the same goal.

The program, accredited by the state Department of Education, is grounded in the professional standards for teachers in Massachusetts, the state’s curriculum frameworks, and the expectations of the Hellenic College faculty. The program prepares caring professionals who view

teaching as a calling. “Hellenic College is an academic community in which students prepare for their professional occupation while nurturing their spiritual growth, too,” said Dr. Katos.