Written by Sarah Swann
Sarah Swann demonstrates how to hula hoop for Achievement First students.
Willimantic, CT --Nineteen fifth- and sixth-grade students from Achievement First
School in Hartford visited Eastern Connecticut State University on March 18 to interact
with Eastern students in Health and Physical Education Professor Darren Robert's
Elementary Games and Activities class.
Matt Cooney and Adam Baber jump with Achievement First students.
The First Achievement students are taught by Eastern alum Scott Trepanier. The gathering took place in the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium. It was designed to provide a practice teaching session for Eastern students who plan careers in teaching, and provide some enjoyment and insight into Eastern for the Hartford students as well.
The Achievement First students demonstrated their athletic ability to Eastern students. Both groups then switched roles, with Eastern students teaching the Achievement First students hula hooping, scooting, and basketball skills to music.
The day was a huge success "The Eastern students and faculty referred to the Achievement first students as 'scholars.' They left a lasting impression on our physical education teacher certification candidates," said Robert. "Our candidates will most often earn their first teaching position in an urban area and this visit by these young scholars will help them become better teachers. They realize that children can be hard working, and want to have fun participating in physical activity! The scholars got a glimpse of Eastern's campus as well, and got to talk to college students. They realized that someday they will be the ones attending Eastern and other wonderful colleges and universities."
