By John Pullano, Editor-In-Chief
At the beginning of September, St. Bonaventure University undergraduate students in the teacher preparation programs began working at schools in Cattaraugus County.
Depending on their program, education majors at Bonaventure are required to complete “authentic off-campus experience” in order to graduate, according to Bonaventure’s university website.
In a normal year Bonaventure’s education department places students in one school local to Bonaventure and one relatively further out of the county. However, due to the pandemic more students will work with local school districts to Bonaventure, while others elect to work in their hometown as they take their college courses virtually.
“In the past, we have tried to have student teachers work with our local school districts,” said Jerry Mottern, Director of the Office of Educator Preparation Placement and Certification. “We usually try to give students one close placement and one a bit further away, but still in our BOCES region. This year, we had a few students that requested to live at home. We were able to find placements near their hometowns.”
For the first time since they shut down in March, school districts such as Hinsdale and Olean will be allowing teachers and students to teach and learn in a hybrid, in-person and virtual basis, according to the district’s reopening plans.
Bonaventure students have begun their student teaching programs adjusting to the hybrid system.
“I am currently student teaching at Hinsdale Central School,” said a senior in the undergraduate adolescence education program, Jackson West. “Like many other schools across the nation, Hinsdale has implanted a hybrid program for the academic year. The teachers have the option to live-stream their classes to the students at home. From what I have experienced, many teachers are live-streaming their classrooms.”
While teaching virtually student teachers have encountered issues with the amount of time they are able to see their students through the school week.
“The biggest challenge I have faced so far this year is not seeing my students every day,” said senior in the childhood education program teaching at Olean intermediate middle school Avery Teeple. “I only see them face to face two times a week which is definitely challenging because it is difficult to make sure they are staying on track. The most important thing when teaching is getting to know your students and building those connections which has been challenging because of the circumstances.”
West agreed with Teeple, citing “classroom efficiency” as the reason for struggles teaching virtually.
“As a result of the school’s hybrid program, classes are only 35 minutes long compared to their original length of 45,” said West. “In addition to fitting in the actual lesson, I have to take time at the beginning of class to make sure everyone is attending the live-stream.”
Among learning to teach virtually, Bonaventure’s student teachers are been forced to abide by a new set of COVID-19 related rules on days they are allowed in the classroom.
“I honestly do not think that anything has been easier,” said Teeple. “There are so many new rules that have been put into place that it is a whole different environment than what I am used to. It is a challenge, but I am learning so much already.”
Student teachers are also required to sanitize all the desks in the classrooms and require all students to sanitize their hands, according to West.
Despite the drastic changes in the rules, curriculum and instruction, several student teachers have viewed the changes as an opportunity to learn and grow their skills. Many believe learning to teach online is not an ability they gained in the classroom.
“I feel like I am benefiting from my student-teaching experience considering the circumstances. If anything, this experience has taught me how to adapt to change quickly and efficiently,” said West. “While my student-teaching experience is far from traditional, I am learning skills I may not have learned otherwise. I am still engaging the students as if I were in a typical classroom setting, but now I have new technological skills I can incorporate into my classes.”
Professors at Bonaventure also believe their students are benefiting from learning to teach online.
“My opinion is that a mixed instructional model would be beneficial in our changing world,” said Mottern. “Students will be able to be flexible and adaptive to any situation for the benefit of those in need.”
Bonaventure will still be allowing students to receive full credit for all of their instruction despite the hybrid teaching in the fall.
“Under the supervision of a public school teacher and a university supervisor students are receiving credit for all instruction,” said Mottern. “Both in person and online.”
Overall, the student-teaching program is what teachers and students prepare for. However, during a pandemic there was no coursework that could have prepared these Bonaventure students.
“We go through multiple semesters of being in a classroom and gaining that experience of teaching that has led us to this point,” said Teeple. “With saying that, in the past four years during my experience I do not think I ever imagined myself student teaching in a pandemic – I don’t think anyone did.”
