Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Early Childhood Education (ECE) senior Makenzie Crytzer-Shurant is gaining valuable teaching expertise through internships at Skaneateles Middle School and Weedsport Elementary School. These opportunities aided building practical career skills as she prepares to graduate in June.

Jill King, physical education and health teacher at Skaneateles Middle School, mentored Crytzer-Shurant during her first internship. King praised Crytzer-Shurant’s eagerness to learn.

“She was on time and prepared always,” King said. “She helped whenever asked and added to conversations with the kids in a positive way.”

King also shared her experience as a first-time mentor in the Work-Based Learning Internship Program.

 “I think it is great to have early exposure to what the job entails. I believe it helps them to be more informed in making their college decision, which will guide the next four years.”

Crytzer-Shurant enjoyed being able to do a variety of activities with the older students at Skaneateles.

“With middle schoolers you are starting to teach them about their changing self-health,” Crytzer-Shurant said. “I like being creative with new sport activities.”

At Weedsport Elementary, kindergarten teacher Kristen Wolfgang supervised Crytzer-Shurant’s second internship. Wolfgang said Crytzer-Shurant played a valuable role in the classroom.

“Makenzie was a huge help to both the teacher and students. She had opportunities to gain experience working in both small and whole group activities as well as working one on one with students,” Wolfgang said. “Makenzie also helped with grading papers, making corrections with students, providing guidance with directions, and helping students stay on task.”

Wolfgang emphasized the value of hands-on experience for future educators.

“It is a huge benefit for the intern to have real classroom experience with a teacher and a diverse group of students,” Wolfgang said. “It allows the intern to get a sneak peek into their potential career to really see if it suits them before heading off to college or the work force.”

Crytzer-Shurant said her internship in her home district of Weedsport deepened her understanding of education.

“Overall, I have really enjoyed my internship experience at Weedsport Elementary School,” she said. “The internship program has made me see different learning styles and struggles of the students. The more time spent in classrooms the more I learned about different struggles not just the students but the teachers as well.”

To learn more about the Work-Based Learning program at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, please contact Kimberly Stevers at kstevers@cayboces.org or at (315) 253-0361, ext. 5117.