Inspired by teachers who made a difference in their lives when they were growing up, Ben Stewart and Colin Henke share common ground as aspiring educators, student leaders, and close friends. This semester, both are working to complete their full-time internships at Burlington High School (BHS) where they teach in separate classrooms next door to each another.

“Colin and I have grown close over the past three years, taking many similar courses and working on class projects together,” Stewart says. “Now we are teaching the same course at BHS and bouncing ideas off of each other for future lesson plans.”

As they finish up their final requirements to a earn a degree in secondary education within the College of Education and Social Services (CESS), both are gaining a deeper understanding of the power of relationships across their personal and professional lives.

Stewart was inspired by influential teachers during his youth, particularly during his high school years. “I recognized how important the teachers were at a crucial point in my life,” says the senior from Essex Junction, “and I want to help high school students who are at a pivotal point in their life. I want to be a trusted adult who is dedicated to helping students achieve not only academic goals, but also athletic and life goals.”

Ben Stewart at Burlington High School (Photo: David Seaver)

His high school teachers fueled a passion to teach history and social studies. “I had teachers who pushed me to succeed beyond what I thought possible, and they made the content engaging and relevant to my life,” Stewart says. “History class was always filled with challenging questions and interesting stories that I wanted to further explore. I want my future students understand how intriguing and relevant social studies can be in their lives.”

Getting involved with education links back to Henke’s childhood experiences. “I was fortunate enough to have some amazing teachers and coaches,” recalls the senior from Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. “Each helped me discover things about myself and pushed me to be the best I could be. I am grateful for the wisdom and kindness they provided, and I want to have a chance to give that back to other people.”

Henke sought out opportunities before college to get into classrooms and work with kids, including several internships in high school that led him toward his current career path. “My experiences working in a middle school history classroom during my senior year of high school showed me how rewarding a career in education could be,” he explains. “I love the dynamic nature of teaching and how it forces me to show my best self every day.”

Colin Henke at Burlington High School (Photo: David Seaver)

After a semester at another college, Henke transferred to UVM seeking out opportunities that living in the Burlington area offers. “What drew me here is the relationships our university has with the community, especially the connection between the local schools and CESS,” he says. “The teacher preparation programs here emphasize hands-on learning and being in the field as early as your first year. UVM provides large school resources, but faculty here know you and truly want to help you succeed. I have seen how vast the teaching field is and the many opportunities available.”

Stewart splits his internship time at BHS between student teaching in a world history classroom and working in several English learner support classes. “I am fortunate to work with a range of learners and a variety of different cultures and communities,” he says. “Each student brings a unique perspective. I appreciate going from teaching a larger group of students to spending time supporting students one-on-one or in small groups to provide individualized support. My mentor teachers Dan Hagan in the History Department and Sara Crothers in the English Learner Department provide valuable expertise and model effective teaching.”

Last fall, Stewart spent 20 hours a week at BHS providing a range of support for students with varying needs in the special education. His mentor teacher Jenn Rogers welcomed him to participate in various meetings and conversations about relationship-building with students. “By getting to know the complete student and having real conversations, I learned to better support them with classwork and life experiences,” he says. “I felt honored that a student asked me to be a reference after I helped him complete a job application.”

Henke says the internship at BHS is challenging, but he embraces that. “My mentor teacher Laura Sercel is great, and I truly feel the past four years are starting to come together,” he says. A previous teaching practicum in Milton as a junior helped him learn the importance of relational teaching and how to have fun in the classroom. As a sophomore, he worked at the Sara Holbrook Center in an afterschool center for middle school students.

For both students, meaningful connections with faculty and peers are a key to success. Engaging classroom discussions welcome an exchange of questions and ideas. “Even in our small cohort, there are many unique individuals who add great insight,” says Stewart. “And I enjoy chatting with professors after classes or during office hours. They have been overwhelmingly supportive with classwork and talking about my future aspirations.”

Stewart’s academic advisor Jenny Prue has been an influential source of support since they met in his first year. "Her approach challenges me in the classroom and pushes me to explore my interests." In the History Department, he credits Professor Zdatny as someone who inspired him to further pursue history. "He always challenged me to think critically and produce high level analysis in my writing."

One of the faculty members Henke looks up to is Assistant Professor Eliana Castro. “She allows students to explore the challenging questions associated with education,” he says. “Her classes allowed me to reflect on my own experiences and discover how I can use social studies to help students learn more about themselves. She is a valuable resource as we think about what we will be doing after we graduate, and she helped me explore some interesting non-traditional educational opportunities.”

Beyond the coursework in education, political science has become one of Henke's passions since he took a range of classes in the department, including several on middle eastern politics. 

Studying abroad during the spring of his junior year at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland was a life changing experience. "It allowed me to do a lot of self-reflection that led to personal growth,” Henke says. “I took courses focusing on Islam and Middle Eastern politics, including Just War Theory and Economics. The experience was a highlight of my college career and, honestly, of my life.”

Student Leadership

Beyond academics, Stewart enjoys spending time fellow resident advisors, competing in intramural sports, going downtown to view a sunset by the waterfront, or journeying off campus with friends for an overnight camping trip or a sunrise hike on a mountain. “We’ve created many special memories of our adventures on the ski slopes and spending countless hours stargazing at night on the beach or a mountain.” As a UVM Ski and Snowboard Club member for the past four years, he has over 180 ski days and counting.

Henke served as a resident advisor in the Leadership and Social Change Learning Community since sophomore year before joining the Sustainability Learning Community last fall. He is also the president of the Men's Rugby Team that won its conference and went to nationals to finish the season as the 5th place overall team in the nation for Division II.

Fond Memories and Bright Futures

Both students are quick to express their gratitude for family and friends who made the last four years at UVM an incredible experience.

“I have been lucky enough to work with the same cohort of 15 students for most of my time in the program to build some great friendships over the years,” Henke says. “The education program is a close-knit learning environment." 

After graduation, he plans to work over the summer for the Foundation for Underway Experiential Learning (FUEL), an experiential learning program for children based on a 108-foot wooden schooner based out of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. Next fall, he will attend the IYRS School of Technology and Trades in Newport, Rhode Island to focus on Marine Systems. “My hope is to combine my teaching skills with the trade skills I will learn and work on semester-at-sea programs with high school and college students,” says Henke.

“In my first education class at UVM, I sat next to Mike Carson who became a valuable peer and more importantly a great friend,” Stewart recalls fondly. “A year older and wiser, he took me under his wing and helped make my UVM experience a memorable one in the classroom and beyond.” 

After graduation, he plans to teach at the secondary or post-secondary level and conducting further research in history and education. Wherever that journey leads, Stewart promises to maintain his roots in Vermont.

As the soon-to-be graduates approach the culmination of their UVM journey, their strengthening friendship and mutual respect continues to bring out the best in each other. 

“Colin challenges and inspires me to be a better teacher every day with his work ethic and the responsibility he puts on himself to help his students succeed,” Stewart says. “I am forever grateful for my time with him as a peer, colleague, and friend.”

"My friendship with Ben has helped to mold me into the teacher and person I am today," Henke says. "His calm personality and insightful thoughts have been a positive influence in the classroom and in life. I am proud to have the opportunity to share my college experience with Ben and look forward to seeing what the future holds for him, as I have no doubt it will be bright."