Student teaching prepares Wesleyan students for full-time careers in education.
By Heather Templeton '10
With increased standards and expectations, school systems are looking for highly qualified teachers from an accredited collegiate program.
Locally in the Hampton Roads area, school districts are looking for Virginia Wesleyan College graduates.
Virginia Wesleyan College's Education Department is a well-known and respected program that prepares future teachers by emphasizing the importance of early opportunities for field work. Approximately 50 students participate in student teaching from September to May.
"No matter what we learn in class, the experiences of being in the classroom do not compare to what is read in textbooks," said Richlan Barger '09, an Adult Studies Program student and student teacher in an elementary classroom. "I have found the classroom to be exciting, mind-boggling and at times very challenging."
Wesleyan's Education Department has a 90 percent hiring rate for graduating students. There are 957 alumni working within the field of education from elementary schools to colleges/universities.Director for Teacher Education Dr. Malcolm Lively said the hallmarks of Wesleyan's Education Department are the early field experiences beginning in the sophomore year, the broad–based liberal arts education and the highest quality of disciplinary preparation in the content area fields and teaching methodology.
Rebecca Hardner '09 from Norfolk, Va., said student teaching has been a great experience and has solidified her choice to be a teacher.
"The classes at Virginia Wesleyan have prepared me for life as a teacher," said Hardner. "I was prepared to take on the challenges of teaching with the Standards of Learning, and all the workload that comes with teaching. Each day presents new challenges, and new things to laugh at."
Both Hardner and Barger are completing the elementary education program. Each student is placed in two different grade levels, and in two different school districts to get a better feel for the diversity within school systems.
"This is a great opportunity for student teachers to get a feel for the ways each school district operates," said Hardner. "It is also great exposure as the school districts get to take a closer look at you as a possible candidate for hire."The Education Department has seven state-approved teacher education programs which include: Elementary Education (preK-6); Elementary Education with Add-on Middle Education; Middle Education (6-8); Special Education (K-12); Secondary Education (6-12); Visual Arts , and Foreign Language (K-12); and Alternative Certification for Teachers (ACT) for elementary (preK-6) and secondary education (6-12).
Stacey Wollerton, director of field experiences, said the opportunity for Wesleyan students to work within the classroom is the most critical piece of their education.
"I believe it is the best option to be successful as a teacher," she said.
Wollerton explained that as part of the experience, student teachers are given full control of the classroom to write lesson plans, grade papers and record grades, complete reports (as required) and meet with parents. The cooperating teacher within the classroom acts as a mentor and support service to Wesleyan students as they learn the best strategies for teaching.
"The end result is that Wesleyan students are confident and ready to take on teaching as a full-time career," said Wollerton.
For more information on Virginia Wesleyan's Education Department, contact Dr. Malcolm Lively at 757.455.3301 or blively@vwc.edu.
04.08.09