Rockwood Student Cadet Teaches with Former Preschool Teacher

At the age of 3, Isabelle Rohde informed her Rockwood Early Education preschool teacher - Julie McFadden - that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. She took an active role with teaching her peers and lending a helping hand to anyone in need.

Now a Marquette High senior, Rohde is still embodying that role as a cadet teacher in McFadden's classroom at the Clarkson Valley center.

"It is a truly special 'full-circle' moment to have a former student return to the classroom as a cadet teacher," said McFadden, who spent two years as Rohde's preschool teacher. "I have saved most of my pictures over the years, and it’s fun to show Izzy pictures of herself doing some of the same types of lessons we are teaching the students now."

On a recent Thursday, Rohde led the class in a lesson as part of a unit about running a pizzeria.

After a readaloud with the full class, Rohde led half of the students through the process of taking orders, reading an ingredient list and making a pizza from scratch using play dough and toppings.

McFadden sat about 10 feet away, leading the other half of the class in the same lesson.

"In education you aren't just teaching facts; you’re teaching children how to learn," McFadden said. "Izzy is excellent at scaffolding. She knows how to help just enough help so the child feels successful without doing the work for them. Izzy is a keen observer. She is able to identify nonverbal cues and ask guiding questions to support understanding. She has a natural warmth and approachability about her that draws the children in and makes them want to learn."

As Rohde embarks on her own career as an educator, McFadden hopes that she takes the time to be a lifelong learner, an active participant in her teaching community and puts in the effort to make learning fun for her students and build lasting, positive connections with them.

Very much like the connection she and Rohde began to build in her classroom nearly 15 years ago.

"Izzy is a natural teacher, and it’s been an honor to have been part of her journey and to watch her follow her path in this profession.," McFadden said. "I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her."