James Kidd is a Teacher's Certification student here at the UMPI. He enrolled in the Educational Computing course in the fall of 2007. He was hoping to learn a few things that could be applied to his future teaching career.  Having a strong background in technology already, Kidd found that he was quite familiar with many of the programs Professor Delong was teaching them, and began to help explain concepts and techniques to his classmates.  One of their assignments was to create a website, an activity many students were having difficulty with. Kidd decided to volunteer to come into another section and offer his assistance there, as well. 

            Kidd enjoyed working in Professor Delong's class so much, that he decided to offer his time and talent the following semester, Spring 2008.

 "It's great experience for me.  UMPI is a teaching college-why aren't we teaching?" Kidd said.

 As a future teacher in a secondary school, Kidd wants all the experience he can get in a classroom.

            Professor Delong was very open to the extra assistance in her classroom.  Kidd helps out by occasionally teaching lessons; he gave the lecture on how to use Microsoft Excel, but mostly he gives one-on-one explanations to people when they need something clarified or re-explained.  He also meets with students outside of class to offer tutorials, or quick demonstrations about going further than Delong is able to teach them.

"It's a win-win situation," Kidd said.  "It helps her out and looks good in teacher's portfolio."