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| By Jennifer Sawyer Staff Intern EAST LONGMEADOW There are those who teach, and then there are those who go far beyond the term, introducing students to a world of excitement, hands-on discovery, and unlimited possibilities. Birchland Park Middle School teacher Susan Superson has been lauded as one of the special ones, and recently her innovative ideas and dedication to the craft have been acknowledged and rewarded. Superson is the teacher of the Gifted Education Program at Birchland Park Middle School. The program is an interdisciplinary approach to learning for grades 6-8, giving students a hands-on approach to different subject areas. "I have a different sort of philosophy," she explained. "I believe in doing, not viewing. I disagree with lecture-style teaching. Active learning allows the kids to take ownership of what they want to know." Superson was selected in late May to join 200 science and math teachers from 19 countries and 41 states at the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy Program. The program, held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama took place from June 16 through June 28. Honeywell International, based in Morris Township, N.J., is a technology and manufacturing company that produces aerospace products and other specialty services. Each year, the company puts on the prestigious Honeywell Educators at Space Academy Program. This year's two-week long program involved a variety of activities, including 40 hours of classroom, laboratory, and field training. The educators also tried their skills at astronaut training exercises, including a high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training, and a flight dynamics program. "It was an awesome experience. The program was basically 'Space Camp' for educators," she added. "I can't wait to bring the things I learned back to the classroom. I would love to do an experiment with hydraulics or the planet Mars." Superson is certainly no stranger to being recognized for her achievement. In early May, she was one of 44 teachers chosen from more than 75,000 nominees to receive the 2006 Disney Teacher Award. Superson received $10,000 from Disney and a trip to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California from July 29 through Aug. 3. Disney also awarded Birchland Park Middle School with $5,000 to put towards future school development. The teachers chosen by Disney came from various subject areas and grade levels, and were nominated mainly by peers and colleagues, chosen for their innovative and inspiring classroom techniques. "It's overwhelming, and very touching" Superson said of her recent achievements. "This has been an incredible year." As part of the Disney award, Superson will also be flown to Orlando for a six-day development program at Disney World resort, where she will get the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with other educators from throughout the country. Superson became interested in teaching from observing her father, an elementary school principal, and her husband, who worked as a teacher. She received a masters degree in Special Education and began formally teaching shortly thereafter. She has two daughters, one who recently graduated from Mount Holyoke College and is preparing for the "Teach for America" program, where she will be stationed in the South Bronx. "It was the ultimate tribute," Superson said of her daughter's choice of post-graduate work. She explained that, from her observations, many teachers go into the education field thinking too much of their own performance. Superson added that teachers must realize the classroom belongs to the students more than the teacher. "You have to do more listening than talking, more asking than answering. That's key," she said. Superson also emphasized the importance of gifted programs, calling them, "The other end of Special Education." She explained that gifted children are often overlooked, while the focus remains primarily on those students typically deemed as "special needs." "The emphasis for funding is placed on getting students in need up to proficiency, while other students suffer because they are not being challenged. Those students also need a type of special education," she said. Superson said that her 24 years of teaching have kept up her energy and sense of humor, and she doesn't plan on stopping her craft anytime soon. "I enjoy the students, and not a day goes by when I don't laugh," she added."I absorb what the students give to me, and it bounces back, creating a cyclical feeling of joy in learning." |