In just her second experience before a third grade class in East Islip, student teacher candidate Dana Ehlich engaged her students in a cooperative learning lesson about different land forms in the United States. Above, she proudly exhibits the outcome of their efforts.

Hands on Teaching in Effect-See this Shocking Lesson!

Student teacher Mary Tsiolis prepared a shocking lesson for the third grade students in Mr. Spiros class in Northport, New York. Actually, the lesson was on static electricity which does tend to give students a charge as they learn about its many properties.

The students were actually able to see a soda can move after a balloon was electrified by being rubbed across a sweater. From there they discovered for themselves how cereal could bounce inside a plastic bag by using the power of a charged balloon. The best part of the lesson was when the students were able to huddle together in a static electricity tunnel and actually see the sparks fly.

All in all, the lesson was a positive experience for student teacher Mary and her third grade students.

Alison Laino, seen here in front of a "Smart Board" with her cooperating teacher Bryan Makarius, led by her Social Studies classes at Longwood High School with enthusiasm and effectiveness. Her skilled leadership was evident in the lively discussion and deeply thoughtful opinions expressed by her students regarding the people and events she presented to them.

Congratulations to Alison for bringing joy into the realm of reading!

Michael Privitera (right) with cooperating teacher Ryan Kreuder (left), who is an alumnus of Dowling College, gave new meaning to the skill of motivation. Michael and Ryan conspired to give the student at Islip Middle School the true feeling of discrimination by showing deliberate favoritism toward some of their peers with grading practices. It worked beautifully as students, who were slighted, expressed: disappointment, resentment, frustration, anger and even made threats to report the abuse. All felt better when Michael revealed the ruse but the students' heartfelt feelings were beautifully expressed in their required essays during the latter part of the class period.

This is but one example of the outstanding teaching methodology employed by Michael during his student teaching experience.

From the beginning Megan Grimes (left) showed promise and by semester's end, that promise had grown to perfection at Islip Middle School. To quote her cooperating teacher, Erica Rinear (right), "Megan has required very little assistance and her products consistently superior". Megan attained what I refer to as, "A total classroom skills package". Her inspirational methodology will definitely spell success for her as well as the fortunate students in her classes.

Christopher Tam knows how to transfer his own enthusiasm for Math to his students at Saxton Middle School in Patchogue with demonstrations by the students at the board, in groups and leading his classes in true discussion to achieve solutions. His cooperating teacher, Amy Vario, is a former student teacher at Dowling with me. She set a beautiful example for Christopher which enabled him to excel in management skills, lesson plan preparation, motivational skills and a respectful rapport with the students.