Students from Great Britain teach locally

Having student teachers from SUNY Fredonia is a common sight for children at Pine Valley Elementary School in South Dayton and Fredonia’s Wheelock and Elementary schools. However, recently it sounded a bit different in those schools as they welcomed student teachers from Exmouth, England, and Swansea, Wales.

As part of the International Exchange program in education, SUNY Fredonia is home to 10 students from University of Plymouth in England and 14 students from Swansea Metropolitan University in Wales. During their stay they will experience teaching American children in local schools, visit local sights and travel to other parts of the U.S.

The 20-year old exchange program has the British student teachers visit American schools in the spring semester and SUNY Fredonia student teachers visit the Exmouth and Swansea schools during the summer months. It is an opportunity for future teachers to see the differences and similarities in the two educational systems. As a means of exploring those issues, Ann Marie Loughlin, director of Field Experiences at SUNY Fredonia and a member of the International Education Committee, has arranged for local principals to participate in a panel presentation, “Education in the U.S.” on Thursday, April 3. “Part of the exchange is providing student teachers with the opportunity to look at other teaching systems, and examining children’s socializing experiences to hopefully enhance their own teaching styles,” said Mrs. Loughlin.

One of the many events planned by the College of Education’s International Education Committee is a reception for the students, their cooperating teachers and the committee members at the home of SUNY Fredonia President Dennis Hefner. This tradition each spring is among the highlights of their visit to the U.S. In addition, the students visited the College Lodge and Amish country, and will also travel to a Seneca Nation Pre-School Social event, Niagara Falls, enjoy other splendors of Chautauqua County, and go to faculty members’ homes for dinners and Dunn Tire Park for a Buffalo Bisons baseball game.

After arriving in March, the students from the University of Plymouth took their places at Fredonia Elementary and the Wheelock schools, while the students from Swansea Metropolitan University students went to Pine Valley Elementary School. The students are part of a four-year program to become primary school teachers in the U.K.

“It has been great. Pine Valley had Welsh flags up and it was a big, exciting event for both the schools and the students,” said, Dr. Kathleen Magiera, an education professor and chair of the International Education Committee. “The English students do real student teaching and it counts for their certification. The children are all very interested in talking to them, hearing their accents and talking about their culture.”

Participants in the program often claim that it is a life-changing experience for them, opening their eyes to the world beyond home, resulting in lasting friendships and wonderful memories. “I’ve had the privilege of accompanying American groups to both Swansea and Exmouth as well as of hosting British students here,” said Associate Professor of Education Mira Berkley. Many of the students have stayed in contact. The impact of the experience is summed up in recent exchanges with last year’s English students. “I miss good old Fredonia snow! You’ve given us memories we will never forget. It was one of the best experiences of my life. We miss Fredonia so much and will be back one day!”

The visitors will be living on campus, teaching and traveling until they return home on April 18, for the Welsh, and May 1 for the English.