Alumnus and Student Teacher team up to create classroom community
Our single subject credential program prepares our credential candidates to become expert educators in their subject of choice. At the heart of the program is a dedication to culturally relevant teaching, social justice, and community cultural wealth. Whenever possible, our dedicated placement team works to place current student teachers with alumni - no one can relate more to our program’s student teachers than those of previous cohorts. Rion comes from a family of educators and is a Cooperating Teacher in Social Studies at Hillview Junior High School, in Pittsburg, CA. He clearly remembers how it feels to be a student teacher and, therefore, makes an ideal mentor. “Half of our department at Hillview are Gaels. I find that SMC students come in better prepared for the classroom,” says Rion.
Rion and Nikki are undergoing a new kind of teacher-placement experience with the introduction of the virtual classroom for junior high school. Together they have been able to reimagine a new learning experience not only for each other, but for their middle school students. “We are working together to create a safe space where our students are able to show up and feel like they are not just going to class, but like they are going to school,” says Rion. Both Rion and Nikki recognize that it is important that the students are able to talk amongst themselves and have the kinds of conversations they would be having if they were in their traditional classroom setting. They strive to have impactful discussions, and Rion applauds how “Nikki is able to hold class discussions without imposing any of her own bias into the conversation. If anything, this year it is even more important to make sure we are creating a community where students feel heard and connected.”
Both Rion and Nikki credit their recent summer classes with allowing them to think differently about their craft. Rion found his graduate Inequity in Education course offered by Leadership department faculty member Dr. Tangela Blakely Reavis particularly transformative. “[This] class reminded me of why I became a teacher in the first place. I realize that many of my students are managing challenges that I have never faced as an adult and it allows me to approach them with a fresh perspective,” says Rion, who is continuing his education in the Saint Mary’s MA Teacher Leadership (MATL) program.
Nikki reflects on how SSTE faculty member Dr. Mary Raygoza models how to be present as teachers and educators, saying “our praxis seminar allows our cohort to grow together and discuss our learnings from the classroom.”
Both Rion and Nikki shared that the ‘student-first’ focus of the Saint Mary’s Teacher Education program has shaped their approach, especially this year. “The curriculum is, of course, important, but it sometimes needs to take a back-seat to the needs of our students,” says Rion.
We are grateful to have alumni committed to giving back to SMC and future teachers by working with our current students in the classroom. Special thank you to Rion Larson, Nikki Griffith, and Chris Junsay for taking the time to share this conversation.
This is a featured story from the Fall 2020 KSOE Newsletter. To read more featured stories, click the button below.