Persuasive Essay

Paul Larson
Writing ACSC
Lynn Moore
11/11/08
Persuasive Essay

Learning the proper techniques and methods of a profession are integral parts of college education. This learning helps students prepare for the obstacles they may face in the working environment. Through the Elementary Education program at Saint John’s University, opportunities are given for students to learn their field. Some of the working opportunities include the Urban Immersion experience in a diverse classroom of the cities, and the Local Experience in an area school. One may ask: why are these work experiences valuable for students preparing to be elementary teachers? The Urban Immersion and Local Experiences provide examples for students to observe and reflect upon the teaching profession. In Elementary Education, urban and local school experiences are necessary for aspired teachers to learn from their field.

From these experiences, students aspiring to work in elementary schools learn about diversity in the classroom. Many children are from a variety of ethnicities and cultures; these cultures range from African-American to Hmong. Also, the classrooms display diversity through multiple learning styles such as Autism and Down Syndrome. Elementary schools from the twin cities provide much diversity amongst their students; the opportunity to work in a diverse school introduces new understandings and perspectives about students. One may argue college students can learn teaching techniques, diversity and relationships from their own discoveries in classroom content and learning. However, college student-teachers build relationships and bonds with cooperating teachers as well as the students—through interactions in an elementary classroom setting. The atmosphere of a diverse classroom cannot be imitated, which is why these experiences prove to be valuable.

For aspiring teachers, the urban and local school experiences also offers effective classroom management approaches. The cooperating teachers are excellent models as teachers. These teachers display proper techniques, methods, and disciplines for students in their classrooms. The student-teachers observe characteristics from authoritative figures that promote student learning—this proves to be effective. Additionally, these are not possible without the urban and local experiences. Courses from the college can educate students with knowledge and awareness; however, the field experiences help college students relate material best.

Lastly, college students gain confidence through teaching in an elementary classroom. Aspiring student-teachers witness the daily grind of a teacher, and really learn about significant preparation and organization skills elementary teachers must possess to be effective. Also, the urban and local school experiences allow opportunities for student-teachers to prepare lesson plans to teach. The relationships student-teachers build during field experiences boost their confidence. The opportunities in the classroom are great practice for college students—over time their skills will develop, they gain significant confidence, as well as a sense of accomplishment. Moreover, they may realize elementary education is their correct profession; this realization is based on their skills, desires, and experiences from the classroom.

The Urban Immersion and Local Experience do require time and work for aspiring teachers. But these experiences help college students become prepared to educate young children. Student-teachers from these field experiences learn a great deal from their cooperating teachers, students, and own practice. From a college setting classroom only so much can be taught in preparing college students for elementary education. The Saint John’s University Elementary Education program prepares their students comprehensively. Through many opportunities on field experiences, such as the Urban Immersion and Local Experience, college students will become much better teachers. For this reason, field experiences are so valuable to aspired teachers in Elementary Education.