High school students to receive introduction to teaching in urban classrooms during Rowan Urban Teacher Academy

Twenty-six high school juniors from throughout the state will get a firsthand look at the teaching profession--and urban education in particular--during the third annual Rowan Urban Teacher Academy (RUTA) presented by the University's College of Education.

The two-week academy runs weekdays July 25-Aug. 5 on the main campus in Glassboro and, also, in the City of Camden.

"During RUTA, we work to encourage today's high school students to become tomorrow's teachers in areas where the needs are most acute," says Steve Farney, assistant dean in Rowan's College of Education. Studies show, he says, that there will be a national shortage of teachers over the next decade.

"Teacher shortages will be particularly acute in urban schools and in subjects such as science, special education, world languages, early childhood education and bilingual education," Farney says.

Students will attend RUTA from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Sessions will be led by Rowan College of Education faculty, community educational leaders and urban teachers. In Camden, students will spend time in the city's schools meeting with students, teachers and community leaders.

RUTA students will work in small groups to plan and teach mini-lessons to elementary school children from Camden's Lanning Square School. The program will include sessions with the children in both Camden and Glassboro, as well as a trip with children to the Franklin Institute and a service project by RUTA students at the school.

Students will develop their own lesson plans focusing on literacy, science, social studies, mathematics, as well as physical activity, according to Farney. The lesson plans will focus on social justice and students will teach the concepts of equality, fairness, responsibility, citizenship, and dependability.

A ceremony recognizing students who have successfully completed the program will be held on Friday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m. in Room 3091 of Education Hall.

The students involved in RUTA this year include:

Atlantic County: Jeffrey Blackwell and Shambria Merrill, Pleasantville; Taylor Celenza, Galloway.

Burlington County: Tayor Ahern, Marlton; Na'tise Bankston, Jessica Leary and Samantha Smith, Delran; Joshua Gersh, Riverton.

Camden County: Tarik Bittout, Cherry Hill; Sara Shissler, Haddon Heights; Alicia Santiago, Camden.

Cumberland County: Michael Marino, Bridgeton.

Gloucester County: Jasmine Cannon, Paulsboro; Damiano Consilvio and Kent Purves, Deptford; Hayden Delia and Lauren Kane, Pitman; Ashley Fischer, Gibbstown; Julia Gober, Turnersville; Nicole Hartman, Wenonah; Sheldon Hicks, Glassboro; Amber Kolesinski, Westville; Valerie Leonard, Sewell; Hannah Scally, Woodbury.

Somerset County: Melanie Fernandes, Bridgewater; Kaitlin O'Rourke, Basking Ridge.