Hometown: Waterville, Minnesota
Where are you student teaching and what ages/grades are you working with?
I am currently student teaching in Faribault Middle School. I am teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. I previously student taught in Janesville for 3rd grade. I am learning a lot about middle school students and how they are different from younger students. I am learning how to interact with them on a more personal level so they will respond to me better and it is more comfortable teaching them.
Which Bethany course has been the most interesting to you and why?
Teaching Health and Human Performance was an interesting class. We had the opportunity to have home-school students from many different ages come in and we taught them physical education fundamentals. This was fun because we got to play games with them and we were active a lot of the time.
Describe the Bethany faculty members.
The Bethany faculty members are very nice and helpful, and they know us all on a personal level. This was important for placing us with our student teaching host teacher. I thought they assigned me with an excellent teacher, and I can see that other student teachers were placed in great environments as well. This comes from knowing our personalities and how we work. Dr. Polly Browne has always been there for me when I need her. I knew I could always count on her for support, and that was very important to me throughout my schooling experience at Bethany.
What is the best thing about being a Bethany student?
I think the best thing about being a Bethany student is the atmosphere. It’s nice to walk around and see familiar faces everywhere. The Christian atmosphere is important to me as well. It creates an inviting feeling on campus.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve taken from the capstone course?
The most valuable lesson so far is that my vocation as a teacher is something that God has called me to do. He has showed me this through my student teaching experiences. I enjoy teaching so much, and I know I am doing the right thing. I have also learned that my vocation is helping others. I am doing this to serve and educate others. Being a teacher is an important vocation. Teachers help prepare students for life, both socially and academically.