By Matthew Cimitile and Cliff McBride, University Communications and Marketing
On the same day USF St. Petersburg Videographer Cliff McBride visited ZooTampa at Lowry Park to interview a student about her internship, Madison Connell was offered a job.
As part of the educational studies major, Connell was interning at the Florida Environmental Education Center or “Zoo School,” a preschool attached to the zoo located in Tampa, FL. The major prepares students with the skills, methods and strategies to be a successful educator at a range of organizations and fields outside the classroom, from museums to hospitals.
Connell learned how to incorporate foundational preschool curriculum into the unique environment of a zoo, teaching her students nature-based learning concepts.
After a successful, semester-long internship, Connell is now lead teacher for the young 3s class at "Zoo School." She graduated with a bachelor’s degree a week ago and just a few days later started her new job.