Teaching students how to teach
According to the U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges 2011” segment, Utah State University currently is ranked 92 in the nation. One college on campus that is helping pull this rank is the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education. The U.S. News & World Report also has the education college ranked in the top two percentile for graduate schools in education.
Shannon Burgin, coordinator recruitment and retention and academic advisor for the college, was able to confirm that the college has been known as one of the top 30 schools in the nation for education for more than 10 years. Burgin also said the college holds onto the only national ranking in the intermountain west and is one of the best programs in Utah.
Despite Utah’s reputation for low overall education funding, Burgin said that a degree in education is valuable. She said 81 percent of graduates find employment after graduation and 86 percent of graduate students who want to find a job in their specific field do so.
High standards, excellent faculty, and hands on training all contribute to the college’s success, Burgin said. With many faculty published and recognized in their fields, Burgin said they can better pass their knowledge onto students. Students also have early access to hands-on and up-close training with the Edith Bowen Laboratory School.
No matter what age group of children students want to teach, Burgin said there are many options for those who want to teach.
Burgin said students in elementary education take part in a four level program. The first level involves introducing the student to children. The second and third levels involve practicums where students are placed in schools to begin working with children. The last stage, level four, is a mandatory student teaching assignment. Students are placed in schools in Cache, Box Elder and occasionally Salt Lake County. They will have to complete two separate seven-week blocks.
Students in the program are also giving the college praise as they dedicate themselves to hours of work and study.
Junior Madeline Newhouse is fairly new in the elementary education program but has already advanced to the second level. Newhouse came to USU in 2008 to study her first interest, interior design, but teaching was always on her mind. Newhouse said she had always wanted to be a teacher and soon found herself applying for the elementary education program with an emphasis in social studies.
“I feel way lucky to have chosen Utah State because it has such a good program, ” Newhouse said.
Newhouse was accepted to the program in Fall 2010 and said she has loved immersing herself in everything the program has to offer as she continues to advance.
“I love being in the program. All the classes work together and everyone is really cooperative and nice. They just want you to succeed,” Newhouse said.
Junior Chantel Knudsen will be entering level two of the program in the fall of 2011. Knudsen has been taking classes in education since her freshman year to confirm her career choice as an elementary school teacher with an art emphasis. She came to USU specifically for their program.
“Actually, when I was in elementary school, I knew then that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher,” Knudsen said.
Knudsen was fortunate enough to find employment with the REACH program and currently is an aid at Summit Elementary in Smithfield, Utah. She said that by working with children, she knew that she had made the right choice. Knudsen helps out a teacher at Summit by preparing activites, grading papers, and running the after school program along with tutoring at the homework club.
Knudsen said she is hoping to complete the program within the next two years and then find employment in the education field.
“It’s really competitive, but USU has one of the best programs, so I know that with on-site training, I will be prepared to get a job after I graduate,” Knudsen said.
Knudsen said the levels help students analyze their teaching abilities.
“I have a lot friends here at USU that are at higher levels in the program who feel confident with their ability to teach after completing the third level,” Knudsen said.
Knudsen then said this gives her confidence in the strength of the program and for what is to come.
– jessie.a.sweat@aggiemail.usu.edu