The class is silent. Eyes are fixed upon the stranger in the room. No one says a word as the new intern is introduced to the class.

During the summer, the University of Arkansas requested that three interns be placed in the school for the fall semester. Physics teacher Greg Simpson, English teacher Katy Moore, and theatre teacher Samantha Brown all received an intern for the semester.

The interns are involved in the Masters of Arts and Teaching program at the University of Arkansas.

“It gives me experiences that I wouldn’t be able to get any other way,” said physics inter Blake Matthews. “I get to have my own class, but while I’m learning to be a teacher I’ve got Coach Simpson there to give me advice.”

The internship is just the first step in truly learning how to be an effective teacher.

“I think the hardest thing for anybody coming in as an intern is classroom discipline,” said Coach Simpson. “[They] may have passed a test here and there along the way, but until you try to teach it and explain it to students, it’s difficult.”

Coach Brown also received an intern to assist her in her theatre classes.

“It’s breaking down all the components that a lot of new teachers get overwhelmed with,” said theatre intern Jason Bugeja. “It’s not just a theory class, it’s a hands-on experience and it’s given me a lot of opportunities in education.”

The interns have really fit in quite well at school.

“It feels like a little family,” said Matthews.

Students have also reacted positively towards the new interns.

“It gives us more one-on-one time with both the intern and the teacher it helps us get stuff done faster,” said junior Dallas Hines.