Only a few weeks before the fall 2020 semester concluded and winter break began, students and staff from the Education program began to establish a remarkable interest group for education majors here at Monmouth University.
The group is called “Interdisciplinary Education Interest Group.” Currently on Monmouth’s campus, there are no other clubs or organizations that help students navigate through the education program and all that it entails. Due to this, the main goal of the group is to bring support and guidance to all students within the different concentrations of the education program.
Future goals of the group include certification test and assignment preparations, promoting different educational skills, providing counseling and instruction to those who may need it, as well as just being a place where education majors can come to connect and create relationships with other students in their field of study.
Kate Terracciano is a junior studying Interdisciplinary education. She said that some of her hopes for the future of the group include leaning on each other for advice for exams such as the Praxis and EdTPA, and sharing tips and tricks for endeavors like student teaching.
President of the group and senior Interdisciplinary Studies for Education student Joey Signorile, explains the group in more detail and why it will have such an amazing impact on the students of the Education program. Signorile touched upon how the group is open to anyone interested in the field of education at any level and that she hopes to guide each student through their unique experience at Monmouth.
In regards to the group’s creation, Signorile said that “Our club was created to help students understand and succeed in the many steps it takes to become an educator and make students aware of information they may not have known.”
Danielle Oxnard is a junior in the Interdisciplinary Education program who has also been a part of the group’s formation. In terms of her own goals for the club, she said, “I hope that I can give advice to the incoming freshman joining this program. This program is somewhat new to Monmouth so it was hard learning everything and picking up the specifics, and I hope that by joining this club we can have freshmen join who we can help succeed in the ISEE program.”
Signorile also elaborated on the goals and future events of the group that will take place. She said that the group is still in the preliminary stages and they are allowed to host two interest meetings while they draft the constitution and finish the necessary paperwork.
“Once we complete the process and hopefully become a club, we plan to have events and fundraisers to benefit students and schools” said Signorile. She said that the group plans on hosting two meetings per month for about 30 to 45 minutes, which will consist of helping members with upcoming practice tests, observations, lesson planning, projects, etc.
“We are all passionate and helpful people who want to share that with others,” said Signorile. The group has another interest meeting coming up on Wednesday the 17th at 4 p.m., and is open to all. The zoom link will soon be available so stay on the lookout!
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth University