Education majors spend years preparing for the ultimate field experience test, student teaching.
Those who major in Education are required to spend their last semester teaching in two different schools. Secondary Education majors may spend the first half of the semester in a middle school and the second half in a high school. Elementary Education majors could be placed in a second grade classroom at first, and the second half of the semester could be spent in a fifth grade classroom.
The best way to prepare future student teachers for this daunting task is to keep up with grades, genuinely learn as much as possible, make relationships with professors and professionals in the teaching field and listen to the advice and experiences of other student teachers.
Tori Johnson, an Integrated Studies K-6 major, is currently in a fifth grade math and science class at Union City Elementary, but her first placement was in first grade at Martin Primary.
“I used to think that loving children was enough of a reason to want to teach. However, through my experiences in the classroom, I’ve realized it takes a lot more than just loving children. I want to teach because I want to make a difference, even if it’s in the life of only one student. Students need role models, mentors, leaders who are willing to set a good example for them and encourage them. I want to make my students fall in love with learning,” Johnson said.
Samantha Wheatley, a senior Integrated Studies 4-8 Mathematics major, completed her first placement at Martin Middle School and is spending her second placement at Milan Middle School in Milan, Tenn. Wheatley says because her students are in middle school, she can relate the lessons to popular television shows or books.
“I think students see me as someone who’s older and an adult, yet still someone young enough to relate to them. I’m student teaching in middle schools, so it’s easy for me to take the material that I’m teaching my students and relate it back to something on TV or a book that’s really popular,” said Wheatley.
Not all students believe they are fully prepared for teaching. Alex Hastings Cox was a student teacher at Camden Junior High and Henry County High School in Fall 2012. She shared some insight on how courses can be better tailored to fit the needs of the Education majors.
“I think that the focus in undergrad for future teachers is not as content specific as it should be. I was only able to take two courses focusing on how to teach English and literature. They were both incredibly useful, but I needed more strategy-based classes. I did not benefit from taking courses on assessment and how to create tests, because those are things in which you learn as you go. It is important to understand validity, but my time would be better spent putting that knowledge to use in a content-driven course,” Cox said.
Cox says that while the courses should have been more specific, she was able to build lasting relationships with her professors.
“Mr. Michael Poore was my greatest influence while student teaching. He gave me many useful pieces of advice that I still use today. I am currently a gifted specialist in Helena, Ala., and I often think about his words of wisdom. I still email him from time to time when I have a question,” Cox said.
UTM graduate Megan Hummer found a job during her student teaching. She shared her experience on how student teaching altered her opinion on pursuing education.
“Student teaching opened my eyes to what actually occurs in a classroom. The Education Department does their best to try and prepare you for the classroom, but you have no idea what to expect until you try to teach a classroom on your own. Teaching can be overwhelming and difficult at times but definitely worth it in the end. I had no idea that teaching would take so much dedication. Student teaching showed me that with a willing heart and hard work you can make an impact in children’s lives,” Hummer said.
The Education Department does its best to prepare students for full-time teaching. Johnson says she looks forward to a career in teaching for many years to come.
“I have never been more sure that this is what I am supposed to do for the rest of my life. I leave the classroom each day feeling so exhausted and yet so satisfied and fulfilled. … Knowing I get to do this every single day until I retire is a wonderful feeling too,” Johnson said.
Feature photo: (Mediaplanet.com)
