The demand for dedicated, quality teachers across Detroit has the College of Education's Office of Field Experiences at Wayne State University busy these days. More than 100 undergraduate students enrolled in the courses Introduction to Education and Becoming a Professional Educator are experiencing what it's like to teach this summer.

Each semester, the Office of Field Experiences partners with local nonprofit organizations and schools for its service-learning program. Julie Osburn, assistant director in the Office of Field Experiences, said Wayne State has nearly 70 partners - up from 50 last year - and expects more in the fall.

"Local organizations and schools rely on funding for personnel, however many do not have the resources to hire and train additional support staff," Osburn said. "The partnerships provide our students with real-world teaching experience in urban settings, and in turn we provide them with students who are eager to work with youth and serve as teachers and mentors. It's a win-win situation."

Service-learning activities range from traditional tutoring to after-school program coordination. Participants work with small groups of children at levels ranging from pre-K through high school under the guidance of a classroom teacher. The service-learning program is open to students in all areas of study through the Introduction to Education course.

"For many students, the connection is much deeper than meeting a class requirement," said Office of Field Experiences Director Sharon Sellers-Clark. "Students instead create bonds with children and teachers and begin to see themselves as professional educators."

Organizations and schools seeking student teachers are encouraged to contact the Office of Field experiences at (313) 577-0909 or email julie.osburn@wayne.edu.

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Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.