IUK celebrates benefits of Kokomo Schools partnerships for future teachers

KOKOMO, Ind. - As he completes his practicum in teaching in the Kokomo School Corporation, Steven Madaris appreciates the mentorship of his cooperating teacher, Debbie Newby.

"I hope one day I can be just like her in the classroom," said Madaris, from Wabash. "She is a wonderful teacher, and all her students love her. Her classroom is a place where students feel seen and valued. She advocates for them relentlessly and teaches with both her head and her heart."

IU Kokomo celebrated its partnership with Kokomo Schools, which cultivates experiences for future educators like Madaris, at its Literacy Partnership evening on campus.

About 60 people from Kokomo Schools and IU Kokomo attended the event, which included remarks by current education students about the impact of their Kokomo mentors, discussion of evidence-based rubrics to guide and evaluate future teachers, and a presentation about goal setting and intervention driven by student data by Emily Bainter, director of Title I and reading specialist at the Mississinewa Community Schools.

Tara Kingsley, associate dean of the Division of Education, said not only do teacher mentors grow future teachers, but they also grow teacher leaders.

"When you step into this role, you are not just supporting one candidate," she said. "You are strengthening the profession itself. You are showing colleagues, administrators, and future teachers what it looks like to invest in others, to stay reflective in your practice, and to see teaching as something bigger than a single classroom. Serving as a cooperating teacher matters, and tonight we are here to recognize it."

Carlton Mable, Kokomo Schools assistant superintendent, said the partnership between the corporation and the campus is not only about preparing future teachers, "but strengthening the very foundations of this community."

Education doesn't exist in isolation, he said, and schools reflect the challenges and aspirations of the communities they serve.

"That's why collaboration between the local university and the school is critical," he continued. "Together, IUK and Kokomo Schools are creating a pipeline of educators who are prepared, committed, and deeply connected to the students and families of this community. By training in the community they may serve, they develop cultural awareness, empathy, and a sense of responsibility that cannot be taught in a classroom. We can identify candidates who are a strong fit for our school, who understand our expectations, our students, and our commitment to excellence."

IU Kokomo education students shared the impact their Kokomo mentors are having as they prepare for their own classrooms.

Lauren Freidel, Winamac, said watching Emily Bornes's steady and predictable routines, and observing how those routines made the classroom run smoothly, gave her an example to follow. She learned about the importance of consistency and teaching with purpose from her experience.

However, she also learned that it's OK to change plans if something isn't working.

"Mrs. Bornes supported my growth by helping me learn how to shift in the moment," she said. "That guidance made me feel like I was taking a step into the role of becoming a real teacher."

Elisia Fellow said when students walk into Nichole Shanks's classroom, they know they are loved - and that relationship is what makes her a great teacher.

"You have to take care of the student first," she said. "If they have big emotions, or things going on, that will impact your learning. You have to take care of that before you can open a book or read a word."

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