Developing students into excellent teachers is one of the goals of the Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) program at Carroll Community College. According to Education Department Chair Susan Sies, A.A.T. graduates often give her feedback about how the program has shaped their success as educators.

The A.A.T in Elementary Education is a degree that allows students to do the same academic coursework as native students do in their first two years at four-year colleges. However, the A.A.T. also gives students 45 hours of classroom internships in Carroll County Public Schools, an opportunity that is sometimes not offered until sophomore or junior year at the four-year colleges. Students who complete the A.A.T. degree can look forward to matriculating as juniors at their transfer schools.

Students say there is more involved in becoming successful teachers than classwork and field placements. Graduates emphasize the value of Carroll’s experiences outside of the classroom. They tell Sies that the extracurricular support from the college is instrumental in their growth as teachers.

Carroll graduate Bonnie Boczek is a shining example of a graduate who took every opportunity to participate outside of the classroom, while pursuing her A.A.T. in Elementary Education. While at Carroll, she spent 45 hours in field placements in Carroll County elementary and special education classrooms. After graduation in 2009, she studied as part of a special cohort at Towson University.

Boczek now works at Sandalwood Elementary School in Baltimore County. “I create lessons and materials for Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Writing and Health,” said Boczek. “I prepare interims and report cards, and keep daily records of communications with parents. I am pleased to say that my principal has placed me on the instructional leadership team.”

“During her time at Carroll, Bonnie impressed me with her scholarship, character and perseverance throughout our demanding degree program,” said Sies. “I was pleased with how she was able to successfully accomplish all of her activities and still achieve a 3.9 grade point average, earning her membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.”

Boczek found time to participate in the Student Government Organization, Academic Communities, Service-Learning, and Leadership Challenge at Carroll. “These activities gave me the confidence to work with others and to collaborate as a team,” said Boczek. “I rely on my third grade team on a daily basis. Carroll’s SGO helped me to influence students to make positive changes on campus. I am now participating in changes in the curriculum at my school. Activities at Carroll helped to strengthen my leadership skills and build my confidence as an educator.”

Boczek also spent four summers working with the Summer!Kids@Carroll camps. As a result, she developed her natural abilities to work with children and to make learning fun. She employs these qualities in her elementary school classroom.

“Bonnie is one of those people who can do just about anything she is asked. She is enthusiastic, positive, smart, organized, responsible and just an all-around kind person,” said Senior Director of Lifelong Learning and Program Support Systems Sally Long. “While working with Summer!Kids@Carroll, she was a major influence in helping us refine our processes and organization. The kids loved her, so we are somewhat sad that she is moving on. At the same time, we are thrilled for her new career opportunity.”

Tyler Cross graduated from Carroll in 2012 with an A.A.T. in Elementary Education. He currently attends Towson as an Elementary Education major.

Part of Cross’s journey to becoming an excellent student was his dedication to activities outside of the classroom. “During my time at Carroll, I was an active participant in everything in which I could get involved.. Some of these activities included the Campus Activities Board, and basic and advanced Leadership Challenge,” he said.

The skills Cross developed will help him lead students to become excellent achievers themselves, according to Sies. Cross also learned how to work as a team member as the SGO treasurer and vice president. Mastery of team-building skills will contribute to his future success as a teacher, said Sies.

Cross was one of the first students to help with the college’s Food Locker, which collects and distributes food to students, faculty and staff who are in need. Cross also participated in service-learning activities outside of the county. “I went on a college trip working with Habitat for Humanity during Alternative Spring Break. Such an opportunity made me realize that people can indeed change the world, together as a community,” said Cross. He added that exposure to diverse groups of people and new settings helped him to understand students from a broad range of backgrounds—an important aspect of teaching.

Another co-curricular activity in which Boczek and Cross both participated while at Carroll is the Education Academic Community. By focusing on professional development, this community provides students with multiple opportunities to expand their knowledge about their chosen careers prior to transferring to four-year institutions. The students attended such events as a Colloquium with transfer institutions, a beginning teachers’ panel discussion, and a diversity workshop.

“Faculty and staff at the college believe that activities which complement academics play an important role in the learning process. As a result, students can expect to develop a greater understanding of and increased competence in leadership, organizational techniques, group processes and interpersonal communication,” said Carroll Director of Student Life Kristie Crumley.

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