Russell Sage student teachers at the Questar III BOCES George Washington School.
From left to right: Bailey Catlin, Hannah Anuszewski, Mackenzie Ruszkowski, and Aleah Schaffer.
The Questar III BOCES Exceptional and Early Learning Department is proud to announce a new partnership with the Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education programs at Russell Sage College. This collaboration provides college students with meaningful, hands-on student teaching experiences while offering a firsthand look at how a full special education school operates.
“This partnership will offer pre-service teachers an opportunity to gain intensive, hands-on experience with students who have unique learning and behavioral needs, which is essential for building both confidence and competence in the classroom,” said Shauna Maynard, Assistant Superintendent for Exceptional and Early Learning at Questar III BOCES. “We are excited to work collaboratively with Russell Sage College in this work.”
Bailey Catlin and Hannah Anuszewski, both seniors at Russell Sage College, are two of the four student teachers who are working at the Questar III BOCES George Washington School.
“We feel so welcomed and like a part of the staff,” said Bailey. “I look forward to coming into this placement because I love the kids, and I’ve learned so much from my mentor teacher. She’s given me insights I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.”
“I’ve learned how to adapt the curriculum for these students because I want to make the best lessons I can,” said Hannah.
Throughout their placement, the students have worked alongside Questar III BOCES teachers and learned important strategies, including crisis intervention techniques, understanding behavioral differences, and developing trust and relationships between students and teachers.
“Russell Sage’s Esteves School of Education is thrilled for the opportunity to partner with Questar III BOCES’s George Washington School to provide our student teachers with invaluable experience working with a diverse group of young learners,” said Kelly Smith, Assistant Professor of Education and Chair of Russell Sage’s Professional Education Programs Department. “Our Sage students are at George Washington to build their skills and apply the Positive Education practices they learn in our program as they develop into great teachers. The George Washington students are teaching them so much every day and making our Sage students better with every lesson. We’re so grateful for this partnership.”
Both Questar III BOCES and Russell Sage College look forward to continuing this partnership and expanding opportunities for future educators to gain hands-on experience in special education classrooms.