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The School at Marygrove and the SOE welcome two new Detroit Teaching Residents

June 09, 2021

Two new teaching residents are joining the faculty at The School at Marygrove this fall. Isra Elshafei and Lindsay Helfman join second-year resident Katie Guzdial and third-year resident Sneha Rathi. As teaching residents, they are certified teachers who benefit from the mentorship of attending teachers at The School at Marygrove and SOE faculty and staff. 

We asked Elshafei and Helfman to introduce themselves in a short Q&A. 

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Elshafei and Helfman
Isra Elshafei (left) and Lindsay Helfman (right)

1. What will you be teaching at The School at Marygrove in the fall? What do you love about teaching that subject? 

Isra Elshafei: I will be teaching the robotics class starting this fall! Even though my certification is specifically in math, teaching coding was what got me into the education field. So having the opportunity to combine my two passions into a class is a dream come true! I hope to inspire more students to see the applicability of math in a fun and technological sense. 

Lindsay Helfman: I will be teaching world history at Marygrove next year. I can't wait to explore big questions with students. What makes us human? How have human societies changed over time to confront new challenges? And, most importantly, how can we act locally, in Detroit, to change the world for the better? 
 

2. What drew you to the teaching school model for your preparation as an educator?

Isra Elshafei:
Numbers. The number of teachers who leave the profession of education is honestly concerning and scary. As a first-year teacher, I know I am going to need the support (especially having done most of the learning during a pandemic!) But through the teaching school model, I know I will be given the guidance and support on running my own classroom. Additionally, I believe teaching takes a lot of reflection, and through the time provided and the supports, I get to do that!

Lindsay Helfman: Before coming to the teaching school, I worked as an adjunct professor for ten years. At the college level, teaching can feel very isolating. I was lucky enough to find a few good mentors along the way to help me improve my teaching. That is why I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the residency program as I transitioned to teaching younger students. Not only does the residency value strong mentorship, it recognizes that good teachers are products of strong communities. 
 

3. What is your favorite place in—or favorite thing about—Detroit? 

Isra Elshafei: My favorite thing about Detroit is the car scene! You will definitely catch me at the Woodward Dream Cruise this year.

Lindsay Helfman: Clique Diner. The catfish with eggs is divine, and they have the best pancakes in Metro Detroit.