Kari Schamberger was teaching third grade in Laurel, Del., when a college student, Josh Dunn, joined her classroom as part of his program’s practicum.
“I loved having student teachers in my classroom,” Schamberger said. “And Josh and I always had fun. He had a great rapport with the students.”
Fast-forward a few years, and Schamberger is now channeling her love of shaping educators into her work at Wor-Wic Community College as an associate professor of education. She was helping a new student teacher, Ivy Dowden, with a placement, and got a call from the Salisbury Middle School teacher who would be working with the student. “He said, ‘It’s Josh Dunn,’ and I said, ‘THE Josh Dunn?’”
In a full-circle moment, her former student teacher had a student teacher of his own. Schamberger was delighted.
“It’s very rewarding to see,” she said.
Dowden, a dean’s list student and Salisbury resident, said she loves taking education classes from Schamberger and getting real-life experience with Dunn. “I love how the theory and practice come together,” she said. “Being in the classroom is eye-opening. I love watching students learn and seeing their personalities emerge.”
All three agreed that without an in-person component, it’s hard to tell if education is the right career. “We put our students in classrooms as soon as the first or second semester,” Schamberger said. “It is so important to get a feel for what it’s like. Field placement is where you need to shine.”
Dunn agreed: “Professors teach theory, but seeing and doing puts that into action.” He said his student teaching experience was invaluable – in fact, it was experience that made him want to get into teaching in the first place. “My aunt was an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, and she had a night class that I volunteered in as a teenager. It was very rewarding to be able to help adults master something that could change their daily life.”
After spending years in special education and other classes, Dunn is happy to be teaching middle school science class. His classroom is a rich environment with live plants that students are growing and observing, models of the solar system and a large tank with an axolotl. There are many containers of Lego bricks — he coordinates the countywide Lego competition for middle school and elementary teams.
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be,” he said.
His enthusiasm is catching. Dowden had her own stint as a long-term substitute in middle school science this spring. “Teaching means a lot to me — I’m a little nervous about being in charge, but being in Mr. Dunn’s class has definitely helped me prepare.”
Because Dunn’s classes cover varying levels, Dowden’s experience has been well-rounded. “She has been lucky seeing a range of students of different types and abilities,” he said.
“I was a little scared before I started,” Dowden admitted.
“But now you’re confident and comfortable,” Schamberger told her.
After the long-term substitute work, Dowden feels more confident than ever.
“I cannot help but dream of the day that I become a licensed teacher,” she said. “I think the most difficult part of this experience is saying goodbye to the students as they have played a huge role in inspiring me to keep following my dream. I can only hope I have impacted them as much as they have impacted me.”
For others interested in becoming an educator, Schamberger says there are many options at Wor-Wic. Degree and certificate programs prepare students for transfer into four-year programs in early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education, as well as certification and associate degree options for those eager to join the workforce. Visit the education section of the Wor-Wic website to learn more.
