Laurel Bongiorno
Professor of Elementary Education
Hobbies: Tennis, good movies, reading the Twilight Series
At Champlain, A Great Education is Elementary
"We like to get students out into the real world as quickly as possible," says professor of early childhood education Laurel Bongiorno. "That's the most important part of our program, and that's the way that students learn best-by being out in the field."
As a lifelong educator, Laurel has plenty of field experience herself. After receiving a bachelor's in business and a Master's in Early Childhood Education, she has committed her life to childhood education. Prior to joining the staff at Champlain College, she was the director of early childhood and after-school programs in Burlington for over 12 years. She is in the process of completing her PhD in early childhood education.
Laurel says now is a great time to be a teacher. The Boomer generation of educators is getting ready to retire, leaving plenty of opportunities for placement for up and coming teachers of all grade levels. Champlain's Upside Down curriculum further prepares future educators by immersing them in the classroom experience right off the bat. "First-year students lead classes in the America Reads program. In their second semester, freshman become involved in a seven week service learning project in a preschool or after-school project. One of our groups works with three-year olds in a music and movement program. Another group is working with an after school project helping create student yearbooks," explains Laurel, adding that graduating students get two endorsements-a state license to teach birth through 3rd grade, and another for Kindergarten through third grade-which makes Champlain education grads extremely marketable.
High school students who are thinking of becoming teachers should strongly consider Champlain because their experience begins immediately. "You get to work with children every semester you're here. You don't have to wait until you're a junior or senior. You're getting first-hand experience of what it's like to be a teacher."
In addition to teaching elementary education at Champlain, Laurel is also the president of the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children. In her spare time, Laurel loves playing tennis, seeing good movies and reading.
A realistic rendering of a dinosaur for a game design class