For Annamaria Tizzio BA’25, MA’26, hands-on classroom experience has become one of the most meaningful parts of her journey through the School of Education and Human Development’s accelerated five-year teacher education program.
Tizzio, who majored in communication and minored in educational studies as an undergraduate and completed her master’s degree in elementary education with a library media studies cross-endorsement, recently completed an internship at Tracey Magnet School in Norwalk.
At Tracey Magnet School, Tizzio serves in two roles: building intern and student teacher. As a building intern, she assists with small-group literacy instruction, provides whole-class support, and substitutes when needed. In her student-teaching role, she works alongside her co-teacher to deliver instruction in literacy, math, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning.
Working directly with students has helped Tizzio strengthen her ability to support a range of learning styles and backgrounds in the classroom.
"I have gained a lot of experience with diverse needs and backgrounds, and I have better understanding how to differentiate for those needs," she said.
Tizzio said her decision to pursue elementary education was based in her desire to support students during critical stages of academic and personal development.
