Educating the Educators: English teacher Samantha Feinberg and Associate Principal Dr. Susan Leonard are co-teaching East’s first Teacher Education class

For the first time in 23 years, Associate Principal Dr. Susan Leonard entered Room 514 not as an administrator, but as a teacher. She’s fulfilling what she considers to be unfinished — her teaching career. However, she isn’t doing it alone. Room 514 belongs to English teacher Samantha Feinberg, who is co-teaching Teacher Education with Leonard.

Though it’s always been on the course catalog, Teacher Education has never been a class at East due to lack of enrollment. The required number of students for a class is 10, and Teacher Education has missed the mark every year. Last year, just two students signed up. 

In recent years, Feinberg and Leonard have been working to promote Teacher Education through Instagram posts and posters made by digital design students. This year, they had to bring in extra desks to accommodate the 34 students from East taking the class. 

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh, what is happening?’” Leonard said. “It didn’t work with everyone’s schedules. But it worked for a lot of people, so we have a big class.”

Feinberg and Leonard plan to teach students how to make captivating lesson plans and connect with students but have started the class with theoretical questions, discussions and journaling. They want students to ask themselves what education means to them and why they aspire to teach so that they can develop unique teaching philosophies for their future jobs in education. 

Feinberg feels as though they have created an atmosphere where students feel comfortable sharing and stepping out of their comfort zone. 

“They’re like, ‘Play Taylor Swift’, and everyone’s singing and journaling,” Feinberg said. “It’s pleasant, laid-back, relaxed and creative.”

Before teaching together, the two bonded over their favorite educational philosophers and their desire to teach future educators. 

“We’re just very like-minded,” Leonard said. “We love our professions, and we’re proud of what we do.”

Senior Audrey Attenbery is most excited for the field experience aspect of the class. The students get the chance to travel and shadow at Indian Hills and all seven feeder elementary schools.

“Being able to learn from teachers, make lesson plans and take this into the real world will help me have more experience once I start going into teaching,” Attenbery said.

Now three weeks into school, Leonard feels more confident in the classroom and is reminded of the impact teachers can have.

“If you want to affect change,” Leonard said. “Be a teacher.”