Katie Drury had to smile and pretend a national disaster didn’t happen while mentoring in a third-grade classroom Tuesday.
“It was difficult to put on the happy face and represent the teacher model,” said Drury, a teaching intern at Whitehills Elementary School, 621 Pebblebrook Lane.
Drury is one of about 550 graduates of MSU’s College of Education who have been coping with Tuesday’s terrorist attacks on the United States while interning in classrooms across the state.
“For many of the interns, this is challenging because it was the first time they were looked to as adults by the children and teens who were seeking answers and support,” said Trudy Sykes, coordinator for the secondary education program.
Cary Grimm, an MSU graduate who interns at Novi Meadows school in Novi, said the teachers decided against sharing the news with students.
“It didn’t really hit me until the kids left,” Grimm said. “It was hard to teach like nothing happened.”
But the first-time teachers aren’t alone in dealing with their grief while teaching.
In the aftermath of the nation’s tragedy, the College of Education is aiming to support teachers and interns with resources posted on a Web page, www.wmsu.org/programs/jean_baker.htm.
Jean Baker, co-director of the school psychology program who developed the site, said it’s dangerous if teachers and interns do not recognize their own feelings.
“Teachers and interns first need to take care of themselves and be aware of their own emotions,” she said.
Faculty members who coordinate the intern program have included time in the interns’ master classes to discuss their feelings and how classrooms handled the disaster. Sykes said collaborating teachers at schools where students intern are also offering guidance.
Students who intern at Holt Senior High School met with the school’s counselor Wednesday to help them understand student reactions, Sykes said.
“The counselor talked to the interns to help then get in the mindset of a 15-year-old and see why someone might laugh or cry,” she said.
Baker said interns and teachers need to understand most students face a loss of control and stability and fear for their own safety.
“Children need to be informed basic facts and be reassured that they are safe,” she said. “Teachers should provide factual information and curb rumors.”
Baker said teachers and interns need to provide information appropriate to the age group, and understand the differing reactions.
Drury said the third graders seemed to understand what happened.
“I had some children express concern and say they were sad,” she said. “Another girl told me she had prayed.”
But regardless of their age, teachers need to give children an opportunity to talk about their feelings and assist in the aftermath, Baker said.
Students can be provided with a way to help such as making cards, writing journals and collecting money.
“Students want to know they can help,” she said.
