Some 25 Brenau University education majors are taking classes at the school, which serves fourth and fifth grades, in a new partnership between the Gainesville college and the Gainesville City Schools.

The college students will meet for lessons daily in a classroom set up especially for them.

And at different times during the week, their teachers will dispatch them to classes throughout the school to observe elementary teachers and help out as needed.

"This is a good place to learn (how to teach)," said principal Merrianne Dyer to Monday's group of 12 students. "It's been a good place for me to learn as principal."

Last year was Dyer's first as principal. Previously, she worked as an assistant principal at Enota Elementary School.

The endeavor started Monday, with Dyer welcoming the students and then giving them a tour of the school.

Fair Street "is a microcosm of general society," Dyer said. "We have every kind of child here. The challenge is meeting every child's need."

She told the students that Fair Street is a Title I school, meaning that more than 50 percent of its students are receiving free or reduced-price lunches.

Dyer also noted that the school has been designated a "needs improvement school" due to lagging test scores. The school made strides, however, with the last administration of the state-required Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests.

Students walked through classrooms and other areas, such as the media center and gymnasium.

Kim Davis, math coordinator and director of professional development at Fair Street, said 12 teachers have agreed to work with the Brenau students.

"The main thing is we want to improve the instruction of the children, as well as these teachers, and the (education students) get to be in the lunchroom and the halls," she said.

Bill Ware, who chairs Brenau's education department, said a committee will be set up to oversee the joint effort.

"It won't be a one-semester shot," he said.

Ware said the partnership also will enable faculties from both schools to learn from each other. "This is a special relationship and arrangement, but we will continue to place student teachers in other city and county schools," he said.

Brenau students said they appreciated the opportunity.

Rachel Longo, a senior from Braselton, said she believes the experience will give her a leg up when she becomes a full-time teacher and it will make her become a better teacher.

Laura Davis hopes to fulfill a lifelong dream to become a first-grade teacher.

"I think it's very exciting to have a chance to work with the children," said Davis, a junior and Lula resident, of her experience at Fair Street.

"And we all want a chance to get in the classroom."