Brightside: High School University
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore are benefiting from attending a university while still being high school students. On this week’s edition of the Brightside, brought to you in part by Choptank Electric, we’ll see how the next generation is looking towards a brighter future!
Education, Experience, and Excellence
These are 3 things promoted during the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 3-week Summer
High School Teacher University. Elijah Thomas hails from PA, and says growing up, teachers couldn’t always keep their classes’ attention, and he wants to be the change.
“I already knew I wanted to be a teacher, because my dad teaches Special-Ed in Wicomico, and I wanted to get a head start for college, like getting those credits early., I felt like that was really good for me… A culturally responsive teacher is someone that accommodates for all of their students’ needs and makes them feel safe inside the classroom. Whether it’s race, learning style, all of that.”
Intentional Impact
Program Director Dr. Richard Warren says as an HBCU, UMES can truly make an impact in this area. “It is important because we have a shortage of teachers, and not only just a shortage of teachers, but a shortage of teachers of Color in the field.”
He goes on to say, “And, so this program is designed to capture that body of students, to capture that population that is often undeserved and trying to get them trained and open to the idea of education.”
Books & Behavior
This year, Dr. Warren says they didn’t just focus on the books, but behaviors as well. “The students this year dove into educational psychology- the study of the mind as it pertains to education. They learned about different ways to reach students, to teach students, and work with the curriculum. ”
Potential Possibilities
April Dashell comes from a family of teachers, and as a 2nd year attendee, she wanted to discover her possibilities in education.
“In High school, we learn that we can sometimes extend deadlines, but in college, you don’t always get that luxury. So being able to be more aware of my time management, and just learning all together, it was really helpful.”
She also feels this program really steered her towards the person she wants to become in life. “I found I want to teach; it’s my personal passion, I’d love to have an impact on the next generation because we do need teachers who are culturally responsive and know how to handle kids of all different races, all different colors, all different walks of life.”
“Diversity is not Divisive.”
Dr. Warren says he wants the world to view programs like this as a positive because quote “diversity is not divisive.”
“One of the greatest things about being a teacher is to look at a child and imagine what they can be It’s a term called hypersee. You know, you can look at a tree and see a house. Well, when I look at a student, I see them as the next lawyer, doctor, educator, teacher.”
Dr. Warren will continue to help these students and others look on the bright side. UMES High School University is available for students every summer, so be on the lookout next year. For more information, check out their website.
