Partnership Programs

In response to increasing enrollment in teacher preparation programs and enthusiasm among teacher candidates for volunteer experience, the college began forming Feinstein School Community Service Partnership Programs. The statewide Once Upon A Time...Preschool Reading Program, the nationally recognized College for Every Student (CFES) Hopkins Hill Math Mentors Program, and The Henry Barnard School Mentors are among the Feinstein School's ever evolving partnerships.

Once Upon A Time...Reading Program for Preschoolers

Weekly Theme-Based Story Hours

The Once Upon A Time...program was initiated in 1997 by the late Rhode Island State Representative Stephen J. Anderson, Dr. Susan J. Schenck, Director of School Partnerships and Field Placements, and Dr. Madeline Nixon, Elementary Education, as a way to engage teacher candidates in a community outreach program that benefited the state's preschool population. In it's pilot year, nine teacher candidates conducted themes based story hours in nine state licensed home care facilities in Coventry. Since then, over 400 Rhode Island College teacher candidates have volunteered their time to promote early literacy and strengthen literacy interactions in 48 partnering preschool programs settings throughout the state. Through their fun and creative weekly shared reading sessions, the Once Upon A Time...teacher candidate volunteers have succeeded in bringing the joys of literacy to over 6,000 Rhode Island preschoolers.

Learn more about Once Upon a Time.

Hopkins Hill Math Mentors Program

In 2006 Rhode Island College's Feinstein School of Education and Human Development was invited by Hopkins Hill Elementary School to serve as their college partner in the College for Every Student (CFES) grant program. CFES is a nonprofit organization committed to raising the academic aspirations and performance of underserved youth so that they can prepare for, gain access to, and succeed in college. The essence of CFES is the three core practices of Pathways to College, Mentoring, and Leadership through Service.

Through the Hopkins Hill Partnership, teacher candidates volunteer as Math Mentors to fourth or fifth grade students enrolled in the Hopkins Hill Math Academy. Mentors provide academic support and emotional encouragement in and out of the classroom. Weekly visits with the Mentees during the Math Academy, lunch and recess visits, emails and surprise notes, are some of the ways the mentors build their relationships with their mentees. Special service projects and the annual 5th grade Rhode Island College campus visit enable mentors to spend additional time with their mentees as well as with other Hopkins Hill students.

Learn more about the Hopkins Hill Math Mentors Program.

Henry Barnard Social Mentors

As the elementary laboratory school of Rhode Island College, the Henry Barnard School encourages innovative educational practices and educational research. The Henry Barnard School experience is designed to empower all learners with the ability and the desire to pursue lifelong learning, to enjoy the satisfaction which accompanies learning, and to develop readiness to participate in the world community. As preparation for involvement in the world community, student enrollment, curriculum infusion, and faculty recruitment all celebrate cultural diversity. These experiences become the foundation for children to be intelligent, responsible persons in a democratic and diverse society.

In keeping with the mission and philosophy of the Henry Barnard School, Rhode Island College teacher candidates representing various education programs and cultural backgrounds spend one year volunteering as a Social Mentors. Prior to their term, mentors participate in several training sessions conducted by HBS partnership liaisons, Laurie Parkerson, Janet Fraatz, and Haven Starr. After training, mentors are paired with a student according to shared interests and experiences. Together, mentors and mentees work on art projects, read the same books, have lunch, or play games during recess.