For more than 25 years, South Colonie’s Each One Teach One (EOTO) program has connected high school students with younger learners to share the joy of language—and gain firsthand experience in teaching.

Rooted in the belief that children absorb new languages more easily at a young age, the program was designed to expose elementary students to world languages while allowing high school students to step into the role of teacher. Spanish, French, and Italian lessons are brought to life through interactive activities, songs, and games.

This year, the program expanded through a new partnership with Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), aligning EOTO with the college’s Foundations of Education in America course. Students enrolled in EOTO now have the opportunity to earn college credit for the one-semester course—and many love it so much, they return for a second semester as interns.

“Whether students want to pursue a career in education or are looking to expand their experiences so they can make decisions about their futures, this course offers a valuable opportunity to learn about teaching—and about themselves,” said Elaine Sheridan, Colonie Central High School World Language teacher and longtime leader of the program. “It builds responsibility, time management, and a willingness to grow through feedback.”

During the first few weeks, students focus on foundational teaching concepts: lesson planning, educational themes, instructional strategies, and classroom management. Once they’re ready, they begin teaching two to three times per week at elementary schools, Pre-K programs, or in the district’s Life Skills classrooms. This semester marks the first time the program has included Pre-K placements.

What’s it really like to teach in EOTO? We asked a few Colonie students to share their experience.

Meet Gabriella Murphy

Assigned to Mrs. Szesnat’s 5th grade classroom at Sand Creek Middle School during the fall semester.

Q: What made you sign up for Each One Teach One?
A: I have always dreamed of becoming a teacher and this seemed like the perfect next step in getting hands-on experience. I had many friends take this class and everyone loved it. It is so fun to be in charge of your own classroom and see what teaching is really like.

Q: What’s been your favorite part of working with the younger students?
A: I loved all the students in my classroom. It was so fun to see all of their personalities and experience all the different ways that students learn. I really enjoyed seeing them improve their Spanish after each lesson.

Q: What has surprised you most about being in a teaching role?
A: I was the most surprised about how quickly students picked up the material. They were all so smart and attentive during each lesson, which truly made the difference. 

Q: How has this course changed the way you think about education or your future career?
A: This course made me so excited to become a teacher. Mrs. Sheridan and Each One Teach One taught me how important teachers are and how truly rewarding the career can be.

Meet Alanna Endres

Assigned to Mrs. Tornatore Pre-K classroom at Shaker Road Elementary.

Q: What made you sign up for Each One Teach One?
A: I signed up for this class to improve my skills in communication and other additional benefits like building relationships with the students.

Q: What’s been your favorite part of working with the younger students?
A: My favorite part of working with Pre-k was seeing their excitement to learn Spanish and using them in other times then during the lesson.

Q: What has surprised you most about being in a teaching role?
A: From being in a teaching role what surprised me most was how well the students learned and remembered things. My students are like sponges with how quickly and well they understood the material.

Q: How has this course changed the way you think about education or your future career?
A: I underestimated how much little kids can learn. They are at their peak of development which allows them to grow mentally faster and more. This course helped me make the decision that I want to be a pediatric ultrasound tech because of how much I love working with younger kids.

Meet Natalie Boardman

Assigned to Mrs. Tornatore’s Pre-K classroom at Shaker Road Elementary.

Q: What made you sign up for Each One Teach One?
A: I signed up for each one to teach one to experience teaching. Although I don’t really want to teach when I am older I love working with kids, especially babysitting all the time has made me adore kids. This opportunity is so cool and I wanted to experience what teaching was actually like. 

Q: What’s been your favorite part of working with the younger students?
A: I would say my favorite part of working with the younger students is experiencing their happiness every day. Everytime we show up to their classroom they all have huge smiles on their faces and it brightens up my day.  

Q: What has surprised you most about being in a teaching role?
A: The thing that has surprised me most about being in a teaching role is time management. I never really thought about how much teachers have to really think about timing until I was actually teaching. 

Q: How has this course changed the way you think about education or your future career?
A: Honestly it makes me think about teaching in the future or doing something with kids. It is so much fun and has definitely made me look at teaching differently. 

With the growing national demand for teachers—especially in World Languages—Colonie’s EOTO program is attracting attention beyond district lines. Neighboring schools, including Guilderland, have begun to adopt their own versions of the program with guidance from the South Colonie team.

Thanks to the collaboration of passionate educators, supportive staff, and high school students eager to make a difference, Each One Teach One continues to grow—igniting curiosity in young learners and inspiring a new generation of educators in the process.