Two Early Education Students Teaching Their Own Classrooms of Students
JONESBORO – Two senior elementary education Arkansas State University students are pulling double duty this school year; as students and as teachers.Darby Stotts of Little Rock and Taylor Drew of Paragould are the first two A-State students to participate in the Aspiring Teacher Permit program.“This initiative is beneficial in many ways for all involved, but mainly it helps K-12 school districts fill classrooms with quality teachers when they otherwise would not have the ability to do so,” said Dr. Lacy Baker, assistant superintendent of curriculum and assessment at Nettleton Public Schools.
Drew said she got a call from Baker about interviewing for a teaching position about a week before school started.“Usually, you get an entire summer to prepare your classroom and to be familiar with the curriculum. I didn’t get any of that. You just get kind of thrown in. They’ve been doing great getting me acclimated into the classroom,” said Drew.The newly minted teachers met all of the requirements including clearing background checks, passing Praxis II content exams required for licensure, and being eligible for a capstone internship.
“While traditional interns have a teacher in the room leading instruction, planning and all other responsibilities that are required by a teacher in a classroom, the aspiring teacher takes on all of those responsibilities and has a mentor in the district to support them,” said Dr. Rusty Young, assistant professor of teacher education at A-State.
This year, Stotts is teaching a classroom of fourth-grade students at STEAM Intermediate School while Drew has 20 first-graders at Fox Meadow Elementary.
“I am seeing firsthand that the students in those classrooms are benefitting from this initiative. Instead of the likelihood of having a long-term substitute or another individual in the classroom, Nettleton Public Schools was able to provide their students with two senior elementary education majors from A-State who are well-qualified and engaged in the educational process to serve their students,” said Young, who serves as the advisor for both students.
Both Drew and Stotts are graduating in December.“Most of the time in December they don’t give contracts because teachers work on contract for a year, so they give contracts in the summer right before school starts,” said Drew.
She said, thanks to this program, they both will have jobs when they graduate.
“Given that there are many more teaching positions available than certified applicants to fill them, it is helpful to have another group of individuals that school districts can look to, to lead instruction and support students within the classroom,” said Baker.Baker said it is especially true as both Stotts and Drew have nearly completed their degrees and are excited and ready to enter the classroom.
“Every year, even throughout the school year, there is a need for teachers within our school districts. The profession has seen this need grow tremendously and we anticipate such growth will continue for years to come,” said Baker.She said they have to look at options to have more teachers in their classrooms who are qualified to teach.
“It is apparent that they have been well educated and have the drive and desire to be all that is needed for both their students and their families,” said Baker.
“Every single professor I have had has lifted me up, boosted my confidence, and helped me in so many ways to know what my strengths are, what my weaknesses are, and have just gone above and beyond to truly push me to be better,” said Stotts.
She said if she hadn’t come to A-State she would not have had the professors she has learned so much from and would not be in this position, teaching her own students.
Drew said it’s been a smooth transition and she is learning what it’s like to be a teacher, while the students are learning from her.“I love having my own classroom. I feel like I have more freedom. Free to have my classroom to myself. It's been nice to be able to figure out my schedule, what works best for my kids, and how I am going to teach,” added Drew.
“100% the education program here has been phenomenal and I have loved every single bit of my experience here,” said Stotts.Both Stotts and Drew said their professors have been very supportive of this new opportunity.
“I think just in general, Arkansas State University and Nettleton have a true heart for their players, their students and teachers, and they are going to work with you,” added Stotts.
Both students have a lot on their plates for their final semesters of this college experience. For Stotts, not only is she a senior and a new teacher, she is also a Division One athlete playing for the A-State soccer team.
“I think I can be that role model for all the boys and girls, be that positive light for them because you never know what is going on at home or just in life in general,” said Stotts.“It is a great feeling knowing you can help them emotionally and academically. It is a great experience,” said Drew.The future of further use of this program is bright.“The Aspiring Teachers Permit Program, along with the partnership with A-State, has made our first experience so positive and reassuring that we definitely will use this hiring option in the future if need be,” said Baker.
