Luke Withstandley ’21, a Forman alumnus, returned to campus this summer to serve as both a Summer Program counselor and teacher intern. For four weeks, he worked alongside Dr. Brenden Ostaszewski, Chair of the Science Department, and supported students in their learning both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Luke was inspired to return because of the lasting impact Forman had on him as a student. 

“Forman had helped me shine and encouraged me to achieve success, which I did not think was possible before coming here,” he says. “Forman is a sanctuary for people like me who can benefit from a place that encourages you to try and fail and try again until you succeed. It is a safe haven for those of us who have been hurt by the world when trying to learn how to learn. Forman helped me learn to love to learn.” 

Luke found working with the students a rewarding and meaningful opportunity.

“After [the students] share their experiences and stories, they will then tell me how amazing of a place this is and how kind and encouraging all of the people are,” he shares. “This, for me, is a great example of how kids are able to realize the amazing capability of Forman and to know that they are not alone, that we are all in this together.”

Currently, Luke is studying Natural Resources with a concentration in Fisheries and Wildlife at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. He says teaching has offered him a new perspective. 

“As a teaching intern, I love how I get firsthand experience with teaching kids with learning differences and how many different approaches I take to make sure every individual student understands the assignment,” he says. “I love being able to teach them strategies to let them grow their knowledge on how to learn.” 

Luke adds, “It can be challenging to keep up a decent curriculum while teaching at the students' preferred pace. However, after observing Dr. Ostaszewski and his teaching style, I am able to learn so much from him about how he balances being fair and being on course with the students and their curriculum. I can adapt it to my own teaching style to teach the students in the most efficient and effective way.”