Monthly HIGHLIGHTS From the Center for
School Partnerships and Teacher Certification
SEPT ’13
“Getting To The Core” Welcome back to another exciting year at SUNY Potsdam! This year will bring many changes and with that, unique opportunities to all who are involved in teacher education at SUNY Potsdam. You may have heard about the changes that the New York State Education Department is implementing for certification. As a result of the various changes, I encourage teacher candidates to contact me if they have any questions regarding student teaching and certification. You may find the bulletin boards outside of Satterlee 111, our website (www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/education/fieldexp/ index.cfm) and the New York State Teaching Certification Exam website (www. nystce.nesinc.com) to be helpful resources as you progress through your education program. I look forward to the new academic year and assisting you.
“Bite By Bite” September ’13 Sun
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16th Teacher Education Student Association Mixer, Literacy Center, 7:30 P.M.
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19th Student Teaching in Australia Information Sessions, TBD
Upcoming Dates to Watch! October 21st — Engage Education will be on campus recruiting for teachers for various teaching vacancies in the United Kingdom
“Fresh Pick Of The Month” Getting Back to the Basics Olivia Parker
I could tell you about new standards, give you a book recommendation, review the latest articles from a teaching journal, or I could be realistic. Sometimes best ideas come from going back to the basics.
Keep a healthy perspective. Lincoln, in his profound wisdom once said, “We
can complain because the rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because the thorn bushes have roses.” Metaphorically, this is education or any profession. Remember the essays you had to write about why you want to be a teacher? I bet the sentences included words like students and compassion. As you approach the new semester, keep a healthy perspective amid the pressures of change and choose to savor the satisfaction you’ll receive of empowering young minds.
Character counts. There’s a saying that says, whatever is inside of a person will spill
out onto another when bumped. With that in mind, what is inside of you that spills out onto others? Are you honest, positive, punctual, and professional? Dispositions are vital for more reasons than passing student teaching. When someone interacts with you in any given situation they are ultimately judging your character whether in a classroom, informal, or interview setting. Furthermore, in the classroom, imparting students with morals and character is the first success. Arguably, all content and requirements come second. Regardless of what curriculum lends, when it comes to moral development, it is imperative to display and impart character. Professors, peers, employers, and students are watching.
Be resourceful.
Whatever your need may be at this stage in your education, there’s a resource for that! If you’ve never gone beyond course requirements to seek knowledge, now is the time. Be critical of the resources you use and question how you will use such tools and their credibility. To offer a functional resource, we have an updated college website. It has been my experience that the more familiar I am with the website the better off I am in navigating the system to fit my current needs.
Think Globally. Education is everywhere. It is not stagnant. It
is changing and evolving throughout the world as we speak. That is something we often take for granted and forget to celebrate. Until I visited Uganda, I did not realize what a privilege it is to be an educator and how profound learning can become. The first time I met a teacher working for two dollars a day in Africa and saw children, who walked three miles one way to school, I was changed in how I view my job as an educator and how I comprehend education as a whole. Literacy centers are being planted in areas of generational poverty, schools are being built, and opportunities are available where there were none. The more awareness I acquire about global education, the more my flame of passion to teach is fanned for the local schools in my area.
Finally, whatever is genuine, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things as you enter this exciting semester. I stand with you and applaud you for your commitment to making a difference in children’s lives. Enjoy the semester, read “The Bite”, and get your teach on!
Olivia’s Resources for Making an Electronic Résumé http://www.wix.com
View Olivia’s résumé HERE! http://livalicetyler.wix.com/olivia-portfolio
“Planting Seeds”
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ur teacher candidates are planting their seeds and leaving their mark on this world. By participating in a variety of expxeriences, they are not only impacting their communties (internationally and locally) but they are learning important skills needed to be a teacher. Pictured above are teacher candidates who went white water rafting on the Tully River in Australia as part of a faculty-led study abroad trip. Alissa Collier who is an Early Childhood/Childhood Education Major states, “The experience really shaped my ideas of being flexible in the classroom. Whitewater rafting was an experience that I was nervous for, and I had no idea how to prepare for it. It is kind of the same thing in the classroom-you never know what to expect or necessarily how to prepare for it. Being flexible for white water rafting opened my eyes!”
Ways to build your education career
Volunteer or tutor at a local school! Attend professional conferences! Tutor a peer on campus! Become a conversational partner for an international student! Mentor for the Adopt-A-Bear Cub Join the Teacher Education Student Association! Mentoring Program! ...and there are many other opportunities!
Stop in to Satterlee 112A today to find out more information.
“A Taste of Success” Alumni Spotlight: Wayne Muller Masters of Science for Teachers Childhood Education
W
hen I was approached to write a short article for the newsletter, there was no question in my mind about writing it. Then came the daunting task of thinking of a topic for an article. What could I possibly say in a short article about my time spent at SUNY Potsdam (Six years in total, consisting of both my undergraduate and graduate course work.) and what came after walking across the stage and being handed my Master’s Degree? Many thoughts have flooded my head and emotion ran rampant. SUNY Potsdam was not just my educational institution, it was my home. I had friends who became like extra siblings; I had faculty members who became my friends; I had a support system. Then with a brief walk across a stage on May 18th, my sense of euphoria and comfort changed. I was now in the throws of the “real world” and the lackluster task of finding gainful employment that fully utilize my Master’s of Science for Teachers degree, without settling for mediocrity. I began frantically scanning the internet for teaching positions and looking at what other states had to offer. Luck would eventually find me and provide me with the opportunity of a lifetime. On June 5th, I came into contact with an administrator of a school in Burlington, NC. For a month, we emailed back and forth and established a date for a phone interview. The interview consisted of the Assistant Principal and the Principal of that school and lasted exactly thirty minutes. I was sure I was doomed to spend my days behind the cash register of the local McDonald’s as the school took a month to provide me with any feedback or answers. On August 12th, I received a phone call that changed my life for the better. I answered my phone and on the other end all I could hear was “Congratulations, you are hired.” After coming down from my emotion fueled adrenaline rush, I heard the Vice Principal say, “Faculty starts on August 19th, be here for then.” I of course said, “Not a problem,” not realizing that my start date was exactly one week away. I quickly, and I mean quickly (24 hours) was packed and ready to leave. Monday the 19th rolled around and was a day of excitement. It was full of meeting my administrators, fellow faculty, and finding my way around the school. Next, came two days of assessment training sessions, followed by two days of setting up my classroom. I am now going into my third day being a fullyfledged third grade teacher at Grove Park Elementary in Burlington, North Carolina and know I have made the right choice. The Human Resource department has been very supportive in helping with all of my paperwork and transferring over my NY certification. They have made me feel welcomed. I am very excited about this new adventure and journey and know it will be completely rewarding.
“Congratulations, you are hired.”
I will end by saying, be flexible with where you are willing to work, don’t get stressed, and relax. Look into what other states have to offer (although NY does pay more, it isn’t always an advantage), be willing to stretch your wings, and just breathe. If you do end up relocating to another state, or even another country, remember there are planes, trains, and automobiles that can get you to your family or your family to you. Best of luck to and may success find you all.
Amy Guiney, Director 111 Satterlee Hall (315) 267-3450 guineyaj@potsdam.edu
Nicole Feml, Assistant Director 112A Satterlee Hall (315) 267-3022 femlna@potsdam.edu
http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/fieldexperiences/index.cfm