Alumni share stories from the classroom

A teacher panel was held Wednesday, Nov. 12 for elementary education students and future educators to learn from current teachers that are all CSB+SJU alumni.

This panel was hosted by the Education Club who work closely with the Education Department and its professors.

The alumni who took part in this panel all graduated last year and shared their student teaching experiences and current experiences as full-time teachers.

This panel gave alumni a chance to share encounters as new teachers and what they have learned along the way.

The panel acted as a Q+A session, allowing current students to ask questions about the classroom and what to expect as they begin their teaching journey.

The inclusion of alumni in this panel allowed connections to be made with current teachers as well as those within the CSB+SJU network.

The elementary education department at CSB+SJU aims to provide students with a nurturing and community-oriented environment, creating skilled and knowledgeable future educators.

This program specializes in education focused on kindergarten to sixth grade combined with teaching methods across core subjects including science, social studies, math, art and reading.

Students can gain practical experience as the department collaborates with kindergarten to grade 12 educators that bring various perspectives from diverse classrooms.

This program allows students to earn their teaching license alongside their degree in only four years.

In addition, all programs within the elementary education department are approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensure and Standards Board.

Full time student teaching begins senior year for elementary education majors, allowing students to apply their knowledge in the classroom.

Elementary education starts student teaching clinicals beginning in the spring semester of freshman year.

These clinicals call for education majors to complete around 30 hours a semester, introducing students to the classroom environment.

SJU junior Will Caldwell hoped that this panel would give CSB+SJU students within the education program an opportunity to hear from former Bennie and Johnnie educators about their personal experiences while student teaching.

This allows current education students to get a sneak peek at what to expect as they begin their student teaching journey.

“It is important to have this [event] so that students and CSB+SJU education faculty can get an understanding about what the student teaching experience is like,” Caldwell said.

He said he thinks this panel benefited CSB+SJU education students greatly as it allowed them to get a new perspective about their future student teaching plans so they will be well informed and prepared to have a great experience.

Kaitlyn Wisdorf, CSB senior, is one of the Co-Presidents of the Education Club.

As one of the main organizers of this event, she hoped that it would get current students excited about their future teaching careers thanks to the help of the alumni.

Due to the Education Club’s involvement with the Education department, this event gives students a chance to hear new perspectives and stories from panelists, allowing for continuous learning.

“It provides students a chance to connect and ask questions in order to figure out their future plans in education. Having a strong alumni connection has allowed for us to have a panel each year to help prepare students by getting advice from people who were once in their position,” Wisdorf said.

Wisdorf explained how the panel left time for questions at the end, letting students drive the conversation and learn from those who completed student teaching in years prior.

She said this event highlights the alumni network CSB+SJU students have access to and the valuable opportunities and learning experiences that can stem from these connections.