Clarence Students Work With Past Teachers For Shadowing Experience

Students in Clarence High School’s Future Teachers of America club had a “full circle” experience as many returned to their former teachers and classrooms to shadow them for the day. 

Sydney Boesl, a sophomore, said she was excited to see how the class had changed in the years since she was in Theresa Fox’s third grade classroom at Clarence Center Elementary School.

“When I was a student, I was here to learn to move up in grades,” Sydney said. “Now it’s learning how to present myself and how I can benefit future kids I work with.”

Fox smiled when asked to remember when Sydney was a student in her class. Through the day, Sydney observed math and English lessons, and even was able to read aloud to students.

“She was a wonderful girl in third grade, and she’s a wonderful student in tenth grade,” Fox said. “You remember a student like Sydney for years because she’s so special.”

Across the school, Natalie DiPisquale shared her excitement looking at the students in the classroom of former kindergarten teacher Joanne Loewer, who she described as one of her favorite teachers. 

“That was me so long ago, and now I’m back,” she said. 

About 15 students from the club took part in the shadowing experience on April 4, observing classrooms across the District’s elementary schools and Clarence Middle School. Students from the club could be observed supporting lessons like recreating the rock cycle with candy in a science class, or singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” with students in an elementary music class.

“You’re stepping back in, and you’re seeing it through a new lens,” said Kimberly Boyle, who advises the club. “You’re like an adult in the room, and you’re trying to facilitate what’s happening.”

Many of the teachers shared their excitement about having their former students request to shadow them as part of the annual experience, which has been held for about 15 years.

Alexandra Lauricella, a sixth grade teacher at the Middle School, said she had a feeling her shadowing student, Mia Collins, had the skills that could help her enter the teaching field. 

“She would just help anybody and apply herself,” she said. “She pushed herself to the next level.”

Monica Topol, a second grade teacher at Ledgeview Elementary School, was paired with sophomore Alisette Korn, and marveled at how far her former student had come. 

“It’s a wonderful thing to enrich the life of a former student, and to continue to nurture them,” Topol said. “It’s full circle, and it’s so rewarding.”