"I like to use hands-on, involved approach in teaching my students," said Catherine Ehnle, who student-taught special education classes this spring at Gardnertown Fundamental Magnet School. Ehnle received a bachelor's degree in English and certification in childhood education May 22.
Through her fieldwork, the Sayville, NY, resident tries to learn how children like to learn best.
"I'm constantly providing activities- activities that are fun. I try to make them laugh. I have found that they want stamps and stickers-rewards for their efforts."
She recently conducted classes by creating a store with boxes, price tags and plastic coins.
"To provide math and art, I had my students buy items and draw pictures of the items and the coins."
"I like to use plants for teaching. We plant seeds and study the stages of growth."
She said she's learning the importance of involvement by observing other teachers. She has found memories of her fourth grade teacher, Nancy Maia, at Edward J. Bosti Elementary School in Bohemia, NY. Her three older brothers also had Maia.
"Mrs. Maia was always involved. She taught us to cook and to sew. She took us outside for poetry and took us camping. We studied plants and made sand casts. She was excellent."
Ehnle hopes to get a teaching job in early childhood education or reading on Long Island.
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