ARIZONA NEWS

GCU partners with elementary school to prepare future teachers

Dec 3, 2018, 4:22 AM

(GCU Photo)...

(GCU Photo)

(GCU Photo)

PHOENIX – What better way to prepare future teachers then having them run a classroom while they are still learning?

Grand Canyon University has a unique partnership with Westwood Elementary School in west Phoenix that’s been a boon to both the teachers in training and the schoolchildren they work with.

Westwood, which is down the street from GCU on 23rd Avenue near Camelback Road, has a diverse and economically disadvantaged student population in a multicultural neighborhood.

The Title I school’s students may be overlooked by some, but not Grand Canyon University.

GCU has formed a working partnership that seems to benefit both its own students and Westwood’s as the university arms future teachers with skills they need before heading out into their own classrooms.

“It is a unique opportunity for our students to work with the neighborhood, and they get to teach real students,” assistant professor Jena Akard said.

There are roughly 40 GCU students in the program – mostly juniors and seniors – who spend several days a week in Westwood classrooms, learning, observing and teaching youth in their core studies.

“It’s called methods, where we take everything the students have learned in the last two years and apply inside the classroom right before they head out to student teach on their own,” Akard said.

The education majors start their school week inside GCU classrooms.

They learn the Westwood curriculum and prepare their own lesson plans, with guidance from their professors, then head to the elementary school to lead class for a couple of days.

By Friday, the future teachers are back in their college classroom being reviewed by their professors and hearing comments about their teaching styles and lesson plans.

Westwood principal Theresa Killingsworth strongly believes the partnership benefits her school and the education majors as well.

“It’s helping these future teachers in big ways,” she said. “When they start teaching, it’s really their second year, not their first.”

Meanwhile, Westwood students are hyperengaged and excited to see the college students on campus.

Some are beginning to show interest in attending college themselves.

Killingsworth shared a story from a morning when she was on crosswalk duty.

She was walking a young student across the street when the girl saw an older student in a GCU shirt.

The Westwood student looked at Killingworth and said, “When I grow up, I want to go to GCU.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

fentanyl pills, fentanyl bust Phoenix...

KTAR.com

Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from Feb. 7-9

Here are some of the top Valley news stories from Feb. 7-9, including a Phoenix man being pulled over with more than 100,000 fentanyl pills.

6 hours ago

Economists foresee labor shortages in construction and agriculture as a result of President Donald ...

Matthew DeWees and Katrina Michalak/Cronkite News

Donald Trump’s mass deportations could mean higher costs and labor shortages in Arizona

Deportations ordered by President Trump could hit Arizona’s agriculture and construction sectors hard, pushing up prices for shoppers.

10 hours ago

Immigration Arizona criminal charges 565 people USAO...

Payne Moses

More than 500 charged with immigration-related crime in Arizona over recent 2-week period

From Jan. 21-Feb. 3, a total of 565 people were charged with illegal immigration activity by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

13 hours ago

Two Valley freeway ramps will be closed for the next two months....

Kevin Stone

2 Valley on-ramps closing for 2 months as part of freeway improvement projects

A couple of metro Phoenix freeway ramps are closing for the next two months as part of ongoing improvement projects.

17 hours ago

Honeywell Aerospace...

Collin Huguley and Jeff Gifford/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace to go its own way amid company split

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace Technologies is going to become a separate entity now that Honeywell International Inc. plans to follow through with a major shake-up.

17 hours ago

fatal shooting southeast Phoenix one man dead...

Payne Moses

Police investigating fatal shooting that left 1 man dead in southeast Phoenix

Phoenix police are investigating a fatal shooting in southeast Phoenix on Friday that left one man dead. The incident is being viewed as an act of self-defense.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

GCU partners with elementary school to prepare future teachers