alumni feature Feature student organizations as well. For example, Education Minnesota club members spend Monday afternoons at Madison Elementary School helping kids with homework. “One of the things I like about MSUM is that from the freshman year on you get lots of classroom experiences,” Braschayko said. Students and professional teachers rave about the role of the new school liaison, who is a critical bridge between elementary and MSUM classrooms. “Our liaison, Tammy Peterson, was very helpful if we needed clarification on assignments, and she scheduled our time with other professionals so we wouldn’t miss out on teaching time,” Thornbloom said. Peterson said the immediacy of providing feedback, guidance and problem solving helps teacher candidates and the classroom teacher. “I am there to guide the embedded students in all areas of professionalism, such as dress code, promptness, preparing lessons and language,” Peterson said. “Being there for the students means the cooperating teacher doesn’t have to deal with student issues or take valuable time away from the classroom.” Kujanson appreciated the liaison the most. “It’s important for the liaison to see how classrooms are evolving and how we need to adapt the way we teach future educators.” Braschayko and Thornbloom received feedback about their assignments and teaching methods from not one, but three professional teachers.
work on,” Braschayko said. “Neal and I also gave each other good feedback and support.” “Neal and Carole worked well as a team and interacted nicely with the children,” Kujanson said. “I enjoyed the experience very much.” The kids are winners, too: More individualized instruction, exposure to different teaching styles, and relationships with other adults benefit them as learners. In the end, it’s about providing children with the best possible teacher to help them learn. > KRISTI MONSON
Liaison Role Brings Retiree Full Circle li·ai·son: communication between different groups or units of an organization; a channel or means of communication “I knew when I retired at 62 I wasn’t going to really retire,” said Jerry Stigman, a 36-year education veteran, who spent 17 years teaching in classrooms and 19 years as principal at several local elementary schools. As Jefferson Elementary’s liaison (and former principal), he praises the “cadre of teachers who willingly mentor college students, not just to have help in the classroom, but who believe it’s part of their professional responsibility.” Stigman is the “go-to” guy for both teacher candidates (TCs) and cooperating teachers (CTs). He assists in everything from clarifying assignments to addressing issues of professionalism. “It’s a huge advantage for the teachers to have a liaison in the building who can deal with any student issues,” Stigman said. “Ultimately, what I do with the faculty reflects on MSUM.” He says MSUM students have always been well prepared for the classroom. “In my years of observation, they could walk into a classroom and make an immediate and positive impression. I believe that’s because they had so many opportunities to work with kids and teachers.”
> Liaison Tammy Peterson provides immediate feedback and guidance to teacher candidates.
“Carole and Neal always had someone besides me giving them feedback,” Kujanson said. “It helps students to have someone they know well and are comfortable with offering suggestions.” “The feedback we received on our projects made it a real learning process and allowed us to hone in on the things we need to
Stigman likes the opportunity TCs get to experience diverse populations. At Jefferson Elementary, Stigman said, about one-third of students were English Language Learners. “What a gift for our TCs to meet students from all of these cultures and to learn from them.” The children are learning, too. “The increased time our TCs get with these kids prepares them to be professional teachers, and that benefits children down the road,” Stigman said. And for Stigman, it’s a great retirement gig that lets him connect with kids again. Alumnews Spring 2012
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