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Student Teaching During the Pandemic
Student Teaching During a Pandemic
By Katie DuBoff
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“Although most colleges and universities had issues with placing candidates for student teaching during the pandemic, Rosemont College Education Division was fortunate to arrange placements for all 13 students,” said Denise Falconi, EdD, Director of Teacher Education. “All competencies and regulations are being met and exceeded by our students to prepare them for certification in a few short months.”
For Rosemont education students, the spring semester is often known for gaining hands-on experience through student teaching. This spring is no different; however, student teaching is certainly altered during the ongoing pandemic.
The 13 student teaching placements are split with approximately half teaching in person and half virtual or a hybrid model.
Holly Brady is teaching at Community Partnership School, a charter school in North Philadelphia. She worked at the school during the fall semester as an aid helping students with their virtual classes.
“CPS, although fully virtual, brings some of the students into the school to complete their classes as some of the kids do not have Wi-Fi or childcare at home,” said Brady. “I loved my experience working here so much last semester that I requested to do my student teaching with the same first grade class. The school is still fully virtual, but I'm lucky enough to get to come into the school every day and help with the five first graders who are in person.”
The School District of Philadelphia announced on January 27 that some students in pre-K through grade 2 would return to in-person learning twice a week starting on Feb. 22.
For Lauren Skinner, she has been able to teach in a kindergarten class at Gladwyne Elementary School in Lower Merion School District. Kindergarten in the district is divided into a morning and afternoon cohort, and Skinner has been able to teach both groups in person.
“Our school is in-person, although the classroom environment is different now due COVID-19, and the students have truly adapted to learning 6-feet apart, as well as the teachers,” said Skinner. “I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to interact with students in person during these trying times the world is facing. I go to bed excited for the next school day and wake up excited to teach my smart and resilient students. Student teaching so far has been more amazing than I already knew it would be.”
A few of the other districts where Rosemont students are student teaching are: Haverford, Interboro, Norristown, Rose Tree Media, and Upper Darby across several grades from kindergarten through high school.
Breyana Grant is also student teaching in a kindergarten class – in Upper Darby School District. While she is gaining in-person teaching experience, she has also learned a lot about teaching virtually when the district has had to transition between virtual and in-person models.
“The experience is great,” said Grant. “I love the students. All the teachers are very nice and even the principal sees me and speaks to me every day. It’s definitely a challenge teaching kindergarteners online. It’s really not the most ideal developmentally for them, in my opinion. It can be hard getting them to focus, but we work with the situation we were given the best we can. It can be even more of a challenge doing both virtual and in person together to make sure all the kinks are knocked out and find the balance between the two, but I’m glad I do get to be in person with even just a few students because it is great to see and interact with them.”
While student teachers adapt to new health and safety school guidelines, learn to teach in a virtual format, and gain experience developing virtual and in-person lesson plans, they remain excited about their future teaching careers.
“The pandemic put a lot of things in perspective for me as an educator as you realize how many students really rely on their schools as a safe place for them to learn, eat, and be taken care of,” said Brady. “I think often it’s easy to take school for granted. The kids here, even at the age of six, have taught me how much a welcoming and caring school environment means to them.”
Grant, who notes that she has always wanted to teach second grade but now may be changing her mind to focus on kindergarten, has found inspiration through the pandemic.
“I’ve found and seen so many new and amazing programs online that the children can use and enjoy,” she said. “It’s really quite amazing how the teachers of the world have come together to share and create all these new things for the students so they can try to thrive in such a difficult time for learning.”
Skinner, who will graduate with a degree in Elementary Education with a certification in PK-4 and Special Education grades PK-8, agrees.
“The pandemic has affected my view of becoming a teacher by driving me to be the best teacher I can be,” said Skinner. “Students have lost opportunities of making connections with friends, losing the routine of school, and the chance that their needs are not being completely met in the classroom or online virtually. Students now need teachers the most, and I am excited for the challenges that the pandemic has brought to us and may continue to bring us in education. It is a learning opportunity that I am not afraid to take on. I am ready for the challenges I may face, if that means my students are going to enjoy school and that their needs are going to be met.”
Lauren Skinner is completing her student teaching in a kindergarten class at Gladwyne Elementary School in Lower Merion School District.
Spring Sports to Return
Rosemont Athletic Director Joe Pavlow announced last month that a limited spring sports season will begin this semester.
“While this will be a truncated schedule, we are very excited to give our athletics an opportunity to play this spring while following all necessary pandemic safety procedures,” said Pavlow.
This announcement follows an update from the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) affirming its intent to move forward with a formal competitive season and conference championships for all spring sports in the spring 2021 semester. Member institutions were given the autonomy to engage in non-conference competition in the sports of baseball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, softball, women’s tennis, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field and men’s volleyball at their discretion with the condition that the expectations outlined in the CSAC Return to Play plan are reviewed and met by the opponent.
The CSAC Board of Directors, athletic administrators, and conference office staff continue to actively monitor the changing conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the semester and will make adjustments as necessary to adhere to local, state, and federal health requirements and maintain the health and well-being of student athletes.
- Mark Porter '21 men's lacrosse goaltender Rosemont's Men's Lacrosse Team during a practice on a sunny, snowy day.
Baseball Comes to Rosemont in 2022
Ross Trachtenberg Hired as Coach
The first season of men’s Rosemont baseball will begin in the spring of 2022. Ross Trachtenberg has been named the head baseball coach. “Rosemont Baseball presents a unique opportunity to ball players looking to be an immediate and integral member of a college baseball team,” said Trachtenberg. “Rosemont College is designed to give each student individual attention and support to be successful. My goal in building a baseball program is to mirror that philosophy. I could not be more excited and optimistic about the future of Rosemont College Baseball,” he said.
Trachtenberg arrives at Rosemont after five seasons at West Chester University as an assistant coach. In his time at West Chester, he helped the team win a PSAC Championship, NCAA Atlantic Regional title and a national championship. “We are extremely excited to have Ross lead our baseball program,” said Joe Pavlow, Rosemont Athletic Director. “His diverse experience on the baseball diamond, as a recruiter, and as an educator in higher education was something that we highly valued during our search. When building a new program, instilling the right culture is critical, and Ross has great experience with this. Being a part of a program with a national championship pedigree at West Chester is something that will help Ross build the foundation of our program here at Rosemont,” he said.
Trachtenberg is already focused on recruiting efforts and building a foundation for the new team. “I am extremely pleased with the level of interest in Rosemont College and the new Baseball Program during these first few months of recruiting,” said Trachtenberg. “I have been impressed with the high level of ball players that are considering or have committed to Rosemont. These recruits are also excellent fits academically for the College and are of the highest character. My focus initially has been on the 2021 high school graduates, but will shift my attention to include junior college and four-year college transfers as well.”
Trachtenberg spent one season with Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Baseball in Claremont, CA. As the team’s lead assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, Trachtenberg helped guide the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens to a 28-win season and a berth in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Playoffs before returning to the Philadelphia area.
Before coaching collegiately, Trachtenberg was the head varsity coach at Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, PA, for 10 seasons. Trachtenberg has also been an associate scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates since 2011. He helps to identify and evaluate the top high school and college players in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Trachtenberg received his undergraduate degree from Lehigh University in 2002 and his Master of Science in Sport Management degree from Drexel University in 2015. Trachtenberg lives in King of Prussia, PA, with his wife, Lori, and their daughter, Claire, and son, Casey.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me professionally, and I am grateful to Athletic Director Joe Pavlow,” said Trachtenberg. “Rosemont College is a special place where I have felt welcomed since I first stepped on campus in the fall to speak about this new program. I believe recruits have felt that same sense of belonging and comfort during their campus visits as well.”
Welcome a new Head Men's Soccer Coach
John Loiodice has been named the head men’s soccer coach at Rosemont College.
“The men’s soccer team will be one of the favorites in the CSAC this fall, so it was important to bring in a coach that will be able to hit the ground running and provide the leadership necessary to compete right away while still building for the future,” said Joe Pavlow, Athletic Director. “John’s passion and attention to detail really stood out to me and the members of the search committee.”
Loiodice arrives at Rosemont after serving as the assistant coach for his alma mater the Rowan University men’s soccer team for seven seasons. While at Rowan, Loiodice served as the head of recruiting and directed all social media and game day operations.
Loiodice currently serves as the head boys’ coach for New Jersey Olympic Development Program. Loiodice was also the head soccer coach at Bishop Eustace and Triton Regional High School where he led both programs to conference championships. He has had successful stints at the PDL level with Ocean City Nor Easters as head coach of the U23’s. He was a twoyear starter at Rowan (2009-10) and an All-American at Brookdale Community College in 2008.
“I want to thank Mr. Pavlow and the entire search committee for entrusting me with leading the men’s soccer program here at Rosemont,” said Loiodice. “I am excited and passionate to work with a great group of student athletes and continuing to build a winning culture. I look forward to working with an outstanding athletic department whose goals and aspirations align with my coaching philosophy.”
