Learning through teaching

February 19, 2024

Learning through teaching

By Ron Beeber, Contributing Writer

PENTWATER — Singer Phil Collins once wrote a song lyric that says, “In learning, you will teach … and in teaching, you will learn.” That’s certainly what happens when members of the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center share their skills with students who are working on hands-on projects at the center under the watchful eye of PALC members.

“The artisan center is a crown jewel, where adult volunteers devote time to teaching young people,” said PALC board member Sue Hopp. “Working with students is really one of the very favorite things that happens here. We get so much satisfaction introducing students to skills we’ve learned ourselves — either here or during our younger years. We know each student takes away something they’ve learned from us. And as we teach them, we certainly learn from working with them. Really, the students bring a breath of fresh air to this place that we love so much.”

One Pentwater educator who has devised PALC-related projects for her students for many years is K-12 art teacher Carrie Jeruzal.

“My favorite artistic medium now is actually my students,” said Jeruzal. “When you become a teacher, you devote your life’s work to them.” In 2006, Jeruzal came to teach at Pentwater Public School, which she describes as a “fantastic, high performing, high functioning school.” She recently had her seventh graders build wooden bases at the artisan center for their toy “automatron” projects. These are works of art that are programmed to move in a predetermined motion, like a jack-in-the-box. Over the next few months at school, students will be working two hours a day to engineer how their piece will move, and design how it will look.

“This ‘automatron project’ is a STEAM lesson — which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math,” Jeruzal explains. Many education experts regard the STEAM curriculum as an essential component of 21st century education. Giving students an opportunity to use both the analytical and creative sides of their brains helps them become good thinkers. She is collaborating on this in-depth project with Pentwater math and science teacher Joe Gorton.

“I love the way STEAM allows students to get hands-on experience of the engineering process,” says Gorton. “It forces them to think creatively about their ideas and designs. This project is highly successful at getting students immediately engaged and invested in their designs. Oftentimes, the initial plan doesn’t come to fruition, and they are forced to reassess, reevaluate, and make adjustments based on the progress of their builds.”

“I love to see what kids come up with,” said Jeruzal. “I love it when they come up with something truly inspiring and original — one of a kind. I like to see how kids build their confidence through art, and find their voice through art. It’s just great to see a kid who finds art challenging initially. But after working hard, through trial and error, they come up with something they’re proud of.”

Jeruzal also leads a group of eighth and ninth grade girls from Hart, Ludington, Pentwater and Shelby who belong to Girl Scout Troop 8350. For her scouts to earn their woodworking badge, she recently brought them to the artisan center to make custom charcuterie boards. PALC members Darryl and Julie Massa, and Sue Hopp, helped them use tools such as measuring devices, screw drivers, sanders, drills, and woodburning pens to engrave their initials.

“I really appreciate the artisan center,” continued Jeruzal. “Gene Davidson was a champion for students to have access to it. I’m forever indebted to Sue Hopp. Whenever I have an idea, I’ll just contact her and she’ll organize the troops. I’ve been working through her for years now.

“Pentwater school’s relationship with the artisan center is truly unique. It’s right next door and we have access to all these volunteers. They are experts who can guide students — one-on-one — to learn something about pottery making, woodworking, stained glass, painting, and welding. It’s another way to expand their learning.”

And PALC members who voluntarily take on these teaching roles are learning themselves.