All-day field experiences prepare Ouachita education majors for future careers
December 03, 2012 - Rachel Gregory
Five education courses at Ouachita Baptist University offered the opportunity for
teaching education candidates to participate in all-day field experiences throughout
the month of October.
Ouachita teacher education candidates were assigned to their all-day field experiences
based on their declared major, teaching level and personal preference.
“We wanted our students to get as much experience and exposure to the specific areas
they hope to teach in the future in order to help solidify their desire for education,”
said Rachel Pool, an instructor of education at Ouachita.
“These field experiences reinforced the fact that this is what I want to do for the
rest of my life,” said Lorna Kirkpatrick, a junior early childhood education major
from Little Rock, Ark. “When you do these things, you learn for sure whether this
is for you or not.”
“Because of these unique and meaningful partnerships with schools across Arkansas,”
Pool said, “Ouachita teacher education candidates are able to begin their journey
of building the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to become competent, caring,
culturally sensitive, student-centered teachers like the Master.”
Students enrolled in Freshman Seminar visited the Arkansas Capitol and the William
J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum to reflect on the role of government in
education. The group was guided by Dr. Paul and Mary Root, retired longtime faculty
and staff members at Ouachita. Dr. Paul Root is professor emeritus of education, and
Mary Root is retired academic coordinator of Student Support Services.
Students in Ouachita's Freshman Education Seminar visiting the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum.
Secondary Methods, Middle School Methods and Methods of Secondary Mathematics students
observed educators in Bryant Middle School and Bryant 9th Grade Academy. Ouachita’s teaching education candidates observed the following content
areas: choir, band, theatre, physical education, English, social studies, mathematics
and science.
The Child and Adolescent Development and Foundations of Education courses visited
three schools across Central Arkansas: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interdistrict Magnet
Elementary School, Little Rock Central High School and Benton Middle School. The teacher
education candidates who went King Interdistrict Magnet Elementary observed in classes
from pre-K to 5th grade. They also spoke with teachers and Principal Karen Carter concerning issues
in education such as data collection and its use for charting student learning.
At Little Rock Central High School, teaching education candidates interviewed Nacy
Rousseau, principal; Lequieta Grayson, head counselor; and Nicole Smith, English teacher.
“These educators,” Pool said, “provided tremendous insight and advice regarding high
expectations, strong classroom management and servant leadership.”
The Ouachita students who went to MLK Jr. Magnet School and Little Rock Central High
School also visited the National Historic Museum where National Park Rangers spoke
about the 1957 desegregation crisis. Driving the experience home, teacher education
candidates planning to teach in high school were able to walk in the same footsteps
as the Little Rock 9 walked 55 years ago last September.
Benton Middle School hosted Ouachita teaching education candidates who were able to
visit Ouachita graduates at work. “A special thanks to Ouachita alumni Sue Shults,
principal, and Jenna Nissen, first year teacher,” said Pool, speaking about the all-day
field experience in Benton, “for hosting our OBU teacher education candidates and
for providing refreshments.”
These all-day field experiences mark the beginning stages of a demanding career path.
Ouachita teacher education candidates are required to accumulate 90 to 110 hours of
field experience before they are allowed to student-teach. The hard work pays off,
however, as teacher education candidates gain practical knowledge for their future
occupation.
“Field experiences provide the opportunity to wed theory and practice,” said Dr. Merribeth
Bruning, dean of the Huckabee School of Education.
Ouachita teacher education candidates put teaching theories into practice with lab
work in education methods and early childhood courses, as well. Shorter trips to local
schools in Arkadelphia give teacher education candidates in these courses the opportunity
to make lesson plans, work with their peers and execute teaching methods on a regular
basis.
Bruning noted that instructors Kathy Collins and Carrie Sharp both helped “supervise
field experience at local schools so that all our students can get a glimpse of real
world experience. The Education Department faculty work together as wonderful colleagues
and as exemplary role models for our future teachers.”
For more information, contact Dr. Merribeth Bruning at [email protected] or (870) 245-5154.
By Rachel Gregory
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