Page 6 - Laker Connection Spring 2013

“It is only through the experience of being in the classroom that one can truly know what it looks, feels, and smells like to be a teacher,” shares class of 2011 alumna Chiara Browning, recipient of the Georgia Power New Teacher Assistance Grant and Social Studies Department Head at Hapeville Charter School. “I look at the ex- periential learning aspect as baptism by fire with a safety net. We are put into the class- room environment, but have a mentoring teacher there.... Having her there gave me the confidence to try things that I may not have if I had been alone.”
In addition to a mentor teacher, candidates pursuing an emphasis in teaching receive input from a Clayton State faculty supervi- sor within their discipline. Twenty faculty members from across mathematics, Eng- lish, science, history and music devote a portion of their time to teaching the candi- dates in the Clayton State classroom and observing the candidates in the field.
“We have faculty going out to work with students and watch them teach,” says Cail- louet, “It’s a more complete process than folks usually get to see. Often you don’t see the professional that the student becomes, but we get to see it a lot sooner.”
Experiential learning is also a major com- ponent in the graduate level Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs. As in the un- dergraduate programs, MAT candidates spend spring semester of their senior year in the field. Key differences between the baccalaureate and master’s level programs
Cont’d. p. 9