New class allows course credit for in-school tutoring
Charles Martin, director of The Center for Program Evaluations, has coordinated a program that gets Georgia College students into local middle and high school classrooms in efforts to expand knowledge about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Project FOCUS not only furthers the education of local school children, but it also increases classroom experience for Georgia College students.
Certain requirements must be met to get involved with Project FOCUS. The program looks for students with 12 course hours in the field they are interested in being involved with. Considering the course is highly interactive, students need to be sure that they have time within their weekly schedules for in-class time as well as peer discussions. The project directors have concluded that involvement in this program will require approximately eight to nine hours a week.
During the week, participants spend around three hours in the actual, live classroom where each individual has the opportunity to partner-teach middle or high school students. Within each classroom, the Georgia College students have the chance to work with the local school children in multiple settings including one-on-one, small focus groups, or even entire class settings.
“This class provides (certain) undergraduates to be in the classroom and have the opportunity to experience what a cohort would provide considering there is no secondary cohort,” said senior math major Hilary Rogers.
Not only will this develop the experience of those teaching, but it will also provide a better opportunity for the children to better grasp the concepts being introduced to them. Participants also attend a one hour weekly seminar, assist their partner teacher in forming lesson plans, as well as compose a weekly essay reflecting on the events of the week.
Although Project FOCUS is not considered a teacher training course, it provides many benefits for college students pursuing a career in teaching or in any of the S.T.E.M. fields by improving communication as well as leadership skills.
“It’s a great upper level elective option for students considering teaching when they graduate because it gives them real life experience and the ability to make an impact in the community,” said Graduate Assistant Rachel Ledford.
Project FOCUS also provides great opportunity for students looking to increase their community service hours as it has been designed in such a way that each hour spent in the classroom counts as one hour community service.
The program strives to help the local school system in that it increases the knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in school students as well as provides fresh ideas to teachers in the local education system.
Not only will Project FOCUS be beneficial to the school system but also to the community as a whole by promoting the interaction between the local schools and Georgia College students.
“With Project FOCUS, students can enrich their lives while making an impact on kids in the Milledgeville community,” Ledford said.
Project FOCUS is a great option for those pursuing careers related to any of the S.T.E.M. fields, teaching, or even those simply interested in community service.
“There has been steady interest in the past, but we want more interest because this is such a great opportunity,” Ledford said.
Anyone interested in becoming involved in this program should find out more information through the Georgia College website or contact Charles Martin at charles.martin@gcsu.edu.
Posted by 
