Students from the College of Education helped teach the finer points of swimming.

Rather than jumping right in, Tykeria Dowdell and many of her classmates in the Loachapoka's 21^st Century Community Learning Center Summer Enrichment Program took a cautious approach to swimming lessons.

There were more than a few furtive glances cast at the instructional pool inside Auburn University's James E. Martin Aquatic Center and some tentative early exploration of it. Some children started by dipping a toe into the water. Others, like Dowdell, were more than a little anxious about what would happen once they were in it. Would they really have to learn how to put their heads underwater?

"That's really normal when you're a kid and haven't had the experience before,'' said Maria Morera, a doctoral candidate in Auburn's Department of Kinesiology who led the K-8 students through swimming lessons in July. "The pool looks like an ocean to them.''

But, in addition to the enhancing the educational experiences of its students, Loachapoka's six-week Summer Enrichment Program challenges them to step outside their respective comfort zones. So elementary school students who have never taken art classes are encouraged to pick up paint brushes. Kids who would turn their noses up at vegetables learn to how to grow them. And others, who had yet to learn how to dog paddle, gradually dip their heads underwater with noses held and eyes closed as their swim instructors - the majority of which are students in Auburn's College of Education -- reassure them that everything will be OK.

Eventually, students like Dowdell overcame their initial fears well enough to open their eyes and enjoy the view below the surface.

"One of my rules is to erase 'I can't' from your head and use 'I'll try,''' Morera said. "I love it when they say, 'Hey, look at me, I did it.' My satisfaction is when they show me they can do it.''

Within a few days, the novices of the bunch learned how to dog paddle, float and use kickboards.

Cindy Davino, director of Loachapoka's 21^st Century Community Learning Center, said the swim lessons are indicative of the overall experience students receive in the Summer Enrichment Program. Funded by U.S. Department of Education  grant, the program counts Auburn University's College of Education as an especially important partner.

Roughly 50 K-8 students enrolled in the Summer Enrichment Program broadened their understanding of such subjects as writing, dance, art, physical education and agriculture, but College of Education students learned alongside them. Through their interaction with Loachapoka Elementary School  students, future College of Education graduates become more effective teachers. A number gain service learning experience through their Foundations courses, while others complete Rehabilitation and Special Education teaching practica.

"Auburn is well represented,'' said Dr. Peggy Shippen, an associate professor in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology who had eight students working in academic and behavioral support roles. "It's a great opportunity for them to expand their exposure and experience with kids who come from different backgrounds than them. This has been a neat experience for our students.''

In some cases, Auburn students find cause to redefine their career goals. Erica Del Greco, a senior early childhood education major from Birmingham, and Margaret Sherrod, a senior early childhood and special education major from Montgomery, worked together to help fourth- to eighth-graders strengthen their spelling and writing.

"I'd never gotten to work with kids this age,'' Del Greco said. "It's neat that they have such a variety of grade levels. It took me out of my comfort zone, and now I'm contemplating going back for a degree in elementary education.''

Other students, including Morgan Lenz, a senior agriscience education major from Gulf Shores, Ala., enjoyed spending portions of their day working with a curious and energetic group of elementary schoolers.

"I think it's opened my eyes and helped me a lot in preparing for my internship in the fall,'' said Lenz, who will teach in Tallassee High School's agriscience department.

After six weeks, it's fair to say Lenz and Dowdell might attach the same description to an experience that proved to be a learning experience for them and so many others: Eye-opening.