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Home Features Student Teachers Reflect on Experiences During Fall Semester

Photos courtesy of Ben Browne and Emily Jensen

 

by Britnee Fear

Each semester, Concordia sends out the brave and qualified students into the unknown world of student teaching to put their teacher training into practice in the classrooms.

Seniors Brianna Bossle, Ben Browne, Emily Jensen and Philipp Mancuso were few among the many chosen to do such a task. The student teachers were sent to different schools during the fall semester in varying cities and states, such as Seward, York, and Lincoln, Nebraska, Rocky River, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The student teachers experienced many rewards and challenges as they headed into their classrooms for the first time.

“I thought I was prepared for it, but at the same time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, Jensen, a secondary English and vocal music education major, said. “However, after that first initial day, which is very intimidating, things start getting easier.”

Through the difficulties of differences between their own teaching style and those of their co-op teachers, classroom behavior and management, and the daunting task of multi-tasking, they grew to see the endless rewards that teaching unveils.

“The greatest reward was seeing one who struggled to grow and learn,” Bossle, a vocal music education student, said.

“The most rewarding thing about student teaching is witnessing the impact you have as a teacher in the lives of your students,” Browne, an elementary education major, said. “It’s not only amazing to see students achieve and succeed academically, but also to be a part of their social, emotional, and spiritual growth.”

“The students that I taught were the best part of student teaching because they bring so much life and energy and they bring a different perspective to everything,” Jensen said.

Student teaching also allows students to reflect and see how they have grown spiritually and mentally through their experience.

“I learned that I am very good at thinking on my feet and improvising,” Mancuso said.

“I learned a lot about discipline and how hard you have to be as a teacher,” Jensen said.

Both Bossle and Browne mentioned that because of this experience, they believed God had called them to be an educator and they look forward to continuing to grow and see what the Lord has in store for them.

“If student teaching taught me anything, it is that God has called me to be an educator,” Bossle said.

“God has really shown me my calling in life and I’m excited about a long and fulfilling career as a teacher,” Browne said.

Stepping into the unknown of student teaching and solely trusting in God, themselves, and the professors who taught them was a little daunting, and all of them mentioned a few things that they wish they would have known before entering through that door. Bossle, Browne, Jensen, and Mancuso mentioned that they would have liked to have known more about technical things inside of music and how to teach them, managing time better, multitasking, and being prepared for the most obscure situations and questions, before they started their student teaching. However, that did not stop any of them from doing the best that they could and learning as much as possible.

Student teaching is daunting and a lot of hard work, but to Bossle, Browne, Jensen, and Mancuso, every second was worth it.

“I want to encourage everyone to find enjoyment in their student teaching experience, no matter the circumstances,” Browne said. “Ask plenty of questions and learn everything that anything you can from your teacher. Finally, focus on the positives. There will be many frustrations and failures every day, but learn from them and grow from them, that is what will make you an effective teacher in the future,”

 

Ben Browne

Emily Jensen

Emily Jensen

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