Senior education majors at The University of Alabama culminate their college career not with finals, but in a working classroom as they complete student teaching.
These UA student teachers lead in a classroom that corresponds with their major. Director of Field Experiences Yolandia Eubanks outlined a student’s expectations while participating in the internship program.
“Students participating in the program have had clinical placements throughout their years, and with the internship, they receive valuable on the job experience,” Eubanks said. “They have to meet state regulations, they have to create their own lesson plans, they have to complete a minimum of 20 full days of responsible teaching, and many even get involved with extracurricular activities as well.”
Because of the time they must devote in the classroom, students usually focus solely on their internships and few courses, if any, are taken at the University during the semester. However, students are still enrolled full time and are typically registered for anywhere from nine to 12 credit hours.
In preparation for this semester of experience, students spend two days in a workshop with Eubanks’ office.
“We go over the materials in the student teaching handbook, we have speakers come in, we have an attorney come in and talk about teacher liability, and we have our registrar come in and talk about being prepared for graduation/applying for certifications,” Eubanks added. “We also have someone talk to them from the Career Center, and they are able to have Career Center sessions with the staff to work with their interview and resume skills along with many other helpful opportunities.”
The students then begin to assimilate into their placement schools by getting to know the teachers and children they will work with for the semester.
“In our classes, we learn methods, ways of teaching, and classroom management, but we don’t really learn the things that can’t really be taught such as working with parents,” Mallory Brown, a senior majoring in elementary education, said. “Being in the classroom helps me see things that a class can’t teach, and I’m looking forward to having full control of the class.”
The college of education also tailors each student’s experience to his or her specific major. Elizabeth Hill, a senior majoring collaborative special education, explained her requirements.
“I am required to intern for 14 consecutive weeks – seven weeks at a severe disabilities placement and seven weeks at a mild disabilities placement,” Hill said. “Currently, I am interning at Oak Hill School, a K-12 school for students with severe intellectual disabilities, and I am placed in the middle school science department, and I will teach science to all students from grade six through 10.”
Teaching on their own provides students with invaluable experience and gives insurance for their future success. The University provides various placements in various school ranging from city schools with less funding to suburban schools.
“Any experience I have student teaching will be valuable because both my success and my failures will teach me something about my future profession,” Hill said.
