From being a cashier at a grocery store to even being a teacher, training for jobs is important for success. For future educators, they get trained during their senior year at college. Through either their practicum or their student teaching year, teachers will learn how to teach through observing when they are getting close to their degree.
“I’m currently going to college at Webster University,” Hailey Probst said. “Right now I am one semester away from graduating.”
Probst is currently the only student teacher at Oakville and is working with the art department through her practicums. Webster moves students around during this portion of their education so they can try all different types of schools in different areas.
“I’m probably going to find a smaller district because I will be moving south after college and living out in the middle of nowhere,” Probst said.
Since starting her teaching journey, her final plans have changed slightly.
“I wanted to be an art teacher, but then I really love special education roles… maybe I could do a little bit of both,” Probst said.
Another thing that is new to future teachers is grading, which has been a new experience for Probst. Art is especially challenging to grade because of the subjectiveness of the pieces. Teachers have to grade based on skill, but students with different talent levels will apply those skills differently.
“I haven’t gotten to grade student work before and it makes me realize that students are usually harder on themselves than the teacher is,” Probst said.
While many students find that it takes a lot of confidence to get up in front of your peers to give a presentation, some teachers discover that when the audience is not a group of people your age, it can be even more nerve-wracking.
“You’re all high schoolers, you’re close to my age,” Probst said. “It can be a lot scarier getting up in front of 25 to 30 students.”
As Probst continues working toward her degree, she has an overarching goal she wants to accomplish.
“I want to leave an impact on student life,” Probst said. “It’s not that I want to be the best teacher ever. I know I can’t be that, but I want to be remembered for something.”
