Campus Lab School administration and teachers serve as adjunct faculty members in the education department.  They teach a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses including Infant/Toddler Practicum, Reading and Language Arts in Early Childhood, Art Methods, Curriculum, and Leadership.

University students studying Education complete many of their supervised practicum experiences in the Early Learning Center and The Campus Laboratory School and support service projects and initiatives.  Many of the staff serve as cooperating teachers, mentors, and supervisors for University students.  Student teachers often complete semester-long placements and actively engaging in all aspects of School life. 

The Pre-Apprenticeship Program is experiential learning at its best. One day a week, high school juniors and seniors from Nazareth Prep HS or the Career Betty Center are transported to Carlow University. Students spend half of the day in internship practicum placements working with children and teachers in either the Early Learning Center or The Campus Lab School. The other half of the day, high school students are in classrooms completing one of three college classes in Education with instructor Ms. Crystal Rose. By the end of the year, in addition to valuable internship experience, high school students will have earned a three credit Education course. These credits are part of the Education degree at Carlow and provide credit hours towards a Child Development Associate credential (needed for employment in childcare centers).

As Crystal Rose describes it, “I love being able to give high school students the real experience of early childhood education. I wish I had that opportunity (when I was younger). The challenges and realities of teaching are things I had to learn on-the-job. This program really bridges the gap between theory and practice and provides authentic hands-on experiences.” After a half-day of internship placement, high school students debrief with Crystal and consider their college coursework through the lens of practical experience. “The scenarios are real and not imaged.”

Mrs. Val Piccini serves a dual role as Reading Specialist faculty in the Education Department and coordinator of early literacy in The Campus Lab School.  She led development of a benchmark system of progress monitoring, implementation of data teams, and engagement in tiered interventions.  She works closely with Mrs. Sarah Sora, Director of the Dyslexia Center and Learning Lab. Val is also a national LETRS trainer for Sopris West and provides literacy professional development for educators not only in The Campus Lab School but across the country.

Teachers, leaders, and staff in the Early Learning Center, and Education faculty and staff, design and offer the Sister Mary Paul Hickey Educator Workshop series every year.  Workshops topics cover a myriad of disciplines and interests.  All are free and open to any educator, community member or parent.   Recent workshops included:

Art & Learning:  See Like an Artist presented by Teaching Artist Sarah Zeffiro and Art Educator Leigh Roche

Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning presented by Pre-Apprenticeship Director Crystal Rose and Apprenticeship Director Tammi McMillan

Dyslexia: Understanding and Designing Student Supports presented by Director of Dyslexia Center and Learning Lab Sarah Sora

Compassionate Problem-Solver: Innovation and Invention presented by Christine Salvi, 4^th and 5^th grade science teacher

Negotiated Curriculum: Following students' interests to meet learning objectives and inspire engagement presented by Maura Bell, PreK Reggio teacher

Developing Foundational Writing Skills in Young Writers presented by Val Piccini, Reading Specialist

Grantwriting for Educators presented by Director of Grants and Research Patty Beaumont and Executive Director Keely Baronak