Dillon Cotter, Hutchinson, reads aloud to his buddy. KNEA and the reading comprehension students participated in a Reading Buddy Day at the HCC Child Care Center. Photo by Emily File
“The Introduction to Education Practicum does have a background check for the students because they will be working in the classroom setting in various elementary buildings,” Forker said. The first task the student needs to take care of in their practicum is finalizing their preferred choice of grade level. “I then work with them to find a placement that is convenient for them and work with the administration to find a
cooperating teacher that will allow them to spend at least 40 hours in their classroom working hands on with the students,” Wells said. Once the student is placed in a classroom, the practice of being a real teacher begins. “They are asked to experience the classroom from a teacher’s perspective, to examine the motives for entering the teaching profession, and to decide whether or not to continue preparing for a teaching
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career,” Wells said. “They will do this by selecting activities where they are observing, tutoring, paper grading, preparing materials, creating bulletin boards, developing teaching projects and teaching in small groups.” Aside from the classes, students have the opportunity to join the Kansas National Education Association as an extra curricular activity. This year Sara Vytlacil, KNEA president from Belleville, works with
Rachel Santine, KNEA advisor and speech instructor, and Teri Eckhoff, assistant advisor and reading specialist, and a team of future education students. “Last year, I was the PR officer, so I did the public relations, but this year, my roommate/ best friend is the president so I am just really working with her and helping her with activities,” Fischer said. A variety of classes, along with the HCC Child Care Center, and the KNEA all pro-
Dragon’s Tale
10/30/12 12:39 PM