Although many academic activities at the University of Wyoming have been affected by COVID-19, student teaching programs for education majors are still happening and are still planned to occur in spring of 2021.
“Nobody has had to change their placements. It’s as normal as possible. Nobody has had to stop or postpone, we’ve had some be exposed and had to quarantine and follow the procedures for that,” said Dr. Alan Buss, the director of the School of Teacher Education and a professor at the University of Wyoming.
Students who are out student teaching need to follow the procedures from the University of Wyoming and the school district they are teaching at. Sanitation is emphasized along with practicing safe health procedures.
There are 24 students currently student teaching across Wyoming. Students are set to also teach this spring semester. Most students will also be teaching in person this spring and a few students will be teaching online.
“Student teaching is a totally different experience this year, but I am still enjoying it,” said Cheylynn Parker who is student teaching first grade at Desert View Elementary in Rock Springs, Wyoming. “Students wear masks, so [it’s] hard to hear kids, we must be strict about seating charts, no group work, or partners, and students’ desks are 3 feet apart rather than in tables.”
Parker said with a policy implemented because of COVID, teachers are required to record all lessons with swivel cameras. Parent volunteers and group work are not allowed at this time. Classes are also not allowed to play with each other at recess.
Jordan Becker is student teaching third and fourth grade in the lab school on campus. She said, “It’s not the same way of instruction with small group work, team projects, partnered discussions, collaborative and cooperative learning. This is what we have had to adapt and use what we can to teach by the covid guidelines.”
Some of the changes she said involved keeping group work which makes sure each student keeps six feet distance.
Parker said, “[It is important] not to let something new discourage you, just because the experience is different than others have had, doesn’t mean it’s a bad one.”
Parker said it has been a good experience to learn how to use the new technology in the classroom and to see teachers putting students’ needs first despite the stress.
Dr. Buss said, “We’ve checked with all the school districts and there are no concerns. There’s training to be prepared,”
“Being flexible and communication is important.”
Should a student need to be quarantined, sick days will excuse them during the student teaching program Dr. Buss said.
“They can also make up days at the end of the program,” said Dr. Buss, “just as if it were a normal illness.”
Dr. Buss said there has not been changes to student teaching, but practicums have been changed. In Laramie, the Early Childhood Education Center and the lab school on campus are not allowing education majors to go into classes to observe.
“We’re trying to build some local video libraries.” Dr. Buss said.
The lab school and Early Childhood Education Center have been working on recording teachers so that students can get a similar practicum experience.
