Local Superintendents Spotted on Campus: A Look Into Southern Virginia’s Education Program
By Anna Liu
Hey, you! Have you heard of the teacher licensure program here at Southern Virginia University? Education professors here work in conjunction with Washington and Lee University to provide a rounded, immersive education for future teachers.
The RTEC program connects students with schools in our community to learn more about the profession and have professional guidance for their career aspirations. Because of this program, I was able to experience assisting in a first grade classroom three times a week. I learned a lot about how a classroom functions by becoming a part of it! I developed meaningful relationships with the cooperating teacher and the students. The kids were so sweet and eager to have me in their classroom! I wholeheartedly recommend taking Foundations of Education (EDU 200) if you’re toying with the idea of being a teacher. You’re required to take a practicum course along with it, which is the classroom experience I was talking about earlier.
On Thursday, April 13, superintendents from Buena Vista City Public Schools, Lexington City Schools, and Rockbridge County Public Schools participated in a panel with students in Foundations of Education. This panel occurs each semester towards the end of the semester. Students created questions ahead of time to ask the superintendents.
In Professor Jordan Clark’s Foundations of Education course, questions ranged from school policy to the rough parts of being a superintendent to what their least favorite food was, but for now, I’ll just share what the superintendents look for when they’re hiring a teacher. For a classroom full of college students aiming to become teachers someday, this was valuable information. (If you’re curious about what else was discussed in the panel, I guess you should take the class next semester so you can ask them yourself.)
Dr. Tony Francis, Superintendent of Buena Vista City Public Schools, told us that he looks for a teacher that can work as part of a team. A good teacher is willing to collaborate with their colleagues. School faculty members must work together in order to be effective and produce a welcoming environment for students.
Ms. Rebecca Walters, Superintendent of Lexington City Schools, told us that the best teachers form bonds with the students they teach. Teachers have such an influential part in students’ lives, and it can be something really special. How can you be a good teacher if you don’t like kids? Ms. Walters told us that at the end of the day, her favorite part of her job is the kids. Nothing is more rewarding to her than being able to walk through one of her schools and see happy students in a happy classroom with a happy teacher.
Dr. Philip Thompson, Superintendent of Rockbridge County Public Schools, told us that one of the most important things a teacher can have is passion for their work. It’s one thing to understand the material you are teaching, but it’s entirely another thing to have the desire to teach that material to students.
I thoroughly enjoyed the panel discussion, and I learned a lot. If you have FOMO, breathe easy. Add Foundations of Education and the practicum course (that’s EDU 200 and EDU 201 if you already forgot) to your schedule next semester!
