For the past two years, the Grace After School Program has benefited from a valuable partnership with Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Students enrolled in IUP’s health and physical education practicum courses have provided consistent support by assisting teachers, supervising children, and leading activities.
As part of their practicum experience, students also design and deliver physical education lessons for program participants in kindergarten through fifth grade. This collaboration not only enriches the after-school experience for children but also offers IUP students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a practical, community-centered setting.
Marty Christian, director of the Grace After School Program, highlighted the impact of the partnership. “I would like to say thank you to the IUP Health and Physical Education Program for volunteering with the Grace After School Program by leading games and supporting the program in many roles,” Christian Said. “Our kids love learning from college students, and your students get the valued opportunity to discover if they do enjoy working with kids. What a great partnership! This relationship fosters unity between the IUP campus and the Indiana community. It’s been a game changer for us.”
The collaboration underscores the strong connection between IUP and the Indiana community, providing benefits for both the children who attend the program and the university students preparing for careers in education and related fields.