Albion College has taken a growing role in supporting the education ecosystem in Albion and the broader Marshall Public Schools (MPS) district. Through collaborations and programs, its involvement is helping to fill gaps, build stronger pathways for students, and contribute to community wellness; all with ripple effects for Albion residents.
From Crisis to Collaboration: The Annexation & Its Aftermath
Before delving into the newer initiatives, it’s important to remember the background of public schooling for Albion residents. Albion Public Schools suffered steep enrollment and financial decline in the early 2000s, losing many students to school of choice programs in neighboring districts. By 2015 the district was deeply underfunded; dozens of Albion school buildings had closed.
In 2016, Albion’s residents voted for the annexation of Albion Public Schools into Marshall Public Schools. This meant that middle and high school students from Albion would begin attending Marshall, while K-5 education remained in Albion at Harrington Elementary.
This shift was painful for many emotionally, logistically, culturally; but created an opportunity: combining resources, offering broader educational options, and leveraging institutional collaborations.
At Albion College, the education program is more than just coursework. For students pursuing the education concentration, classroom theory quickly turns into hands-on practice in local schools, especially within the Marshall Public Schools district, which Albion children attend. This partnership not only prepares tomorrow’s teachers but also provides immediate benefits to Marshall Public Schools students and the Albion community.
Training Tomorrow’s Teachers in Real Classrooms
Albion College’s education concentration requires students to engage directly in school environments early and often. From tutoring assignments and field placements to student-teaching residencies, undergraduates are placed in local classrooms throughout their academic journey.
For Marshall Public Schools, this means a steady presence of energetic, motivated college students who support teachers and enrich learning. Albion education students help with small-group instruction, literacy activities, and STEM projects, while also serving as role models for younger learners.
Albion College senior, Logan Farmer, has had ample hands-on experience in the classroom. After his junior year of college, he participated in a class called “Maemester” where for the entire month of May, he spent in a classroom in MPS. One activity he looks back on is when he “had (his) students creating flags that would represent themselves while connecting to the core democratic values” that he was teaching. Logan sees teaching as a way to make a difference in someone’s life every day and wants to follow both of his parent’s footsteps in the education system.
The extent of Albion College’s contribution to MPS doesn’t stop at these teachers-in-training; there are many programs funded and run by the college to promote MPS student success. AmeriCorp student Mariana Ochoa was on a team of students that worked hundreds of hours to develop updated math curriculum in Harrington Elementary, assisting these young learners with more innovative techniques and lessons to aide them in their academic journey.
A Boost for Marshall Public Schools Students
Whether assisting at Harrington Elementary in Albion or supporting middle and high school classrooms in Marshall, Albion College education students help reduce student-to-teacher ratios, offer individualized attention, and introduce creative teaching strategies learned in their college courses. Teachers in the district often describe the extra help as invaluable. With Albion students in the room, they can give struggling learners more one-on-one time while keeping the entire class on track.
For Albion residents, the impact is felt in multiple ways. Families see their children receive more academic support. Young students are exposed to college role models who live just blocks away, sparking aspirations of higher education. And because Albion College emphasizes service and community engagement, many education students volunteer beyond their formal placements, strengthening ties between the College and town.
Preparing Educators for Michigan’s Future
At the same time, Albion’s education concentration is helping address a statewide challenge: teacher shortages. By training students in nearby schools, the program not only equips them with the skills to succeed but also makes it more likely they’ll remain in Michigan classrooms after graduation. Some Albion graduates have already gone on to full-time teaching roles in Marshall and surrounding districts, ensuring continuity for local students.
Looking Ahead
The partnership between Albion College’s education program and Marshall Public Schools represents a cycle of growth: college students gain professional skills, MPS students gain personalized instruction, and Albion families gain a stronger support system for their children.
As Albion College continues to refine its teacher preparation program, the ripple effects for the community from classrooms in Harrington Elementary to households across Albion, are poised to grow even stronger.
Albion Life Today 