Bethel, Mishawaka Partner on Kindergarten Lab
The kindergarten lab will be located on the Bethel College campus.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA new partnership between Bethel College and School City of Mishawaka will bring a laboratory kindergarten classroom to Bethel’s campus. The partnership will allow elementary education and transition to teaching students at Bethel to complete field experience and earn class credit.
The kindergarten lab classroom project was approved by the district’s school board and will be overseen by Battell Elementary School Principal Matt Wood and Bethel Education Department Chair Kristie Cerling.
Bethel says the project will also give kindergarten students a lower student-to-adult ratio, which will "allow for individualized guidance and special attention to the learning styles and needs of each student." A classroom on Bethel’s campus is being prepared to house the lab and a new playground and fencing will be installed on campus in the summer.
"We are excited to partner with School City of Mishawaka to create opportunities for local students and families that will also benefit our Teacher Candidates," said Cerling. "The on-campus classroom experience that this will provide for our Teacher Candidates will help them develop essential skills that can’t be learned from just a textbook or lecture. They’ll be better prepared to hit the ground running when they graduate and step into their own classroom."
Any child who will be in kindergarten this fall in School City of Mishawaka is eligible to participate in the program and parents can request placement in the Bethel kindergarten lab. Those interested in reserving a spot can contact the School City of Mishawaka administration office.