Introduction to Education is a concurrent enrollment college-level course offered at Owatonna High School through Minnesota State University Mankato and has been offered for four years. This course provides many opportunities for junior and senior students pursuing a career in education. 

Introduction to Education looks at three main ideas which are: where is education now, the history of education and where is education going next? During the class, students are given an opportunity to see what real teaching is like in a different environment with a thing called field. Students get to choose what grade level they would like to have a teaching role in and they are placed in that classroom. Grade levels can range from kindergarten all the way to seniors. Throughout the field experience, students get to do activities and give lessons to their field students and also get to spend a full day in the classroom. Students are at their field site two days a week and are in the classroom on the other days. While in the classroom, students work on an education justice project, read and analyze education-based articles, and hear from many different people in the education field ranging from teachers to administrators. 

Intro to Education teacher, Ms. Katie Coudron said, “I love seeing students out in their field classrooms, getting an opportunity to teach other kids. I love being able to see their confidence grow.” This class provides students with real-world experiences that can be seen while in site classes while they are also learning the content in the classroom. Coudron said, “I think that this class and others like it, really empower students and help them to see the options they have.” 

One of the most loved learning experiences of this class is the site experience. It puts students learning into a real-life perspective and they are able to see what teaching is like firsthand. Along with the learning, students get to make a big impact on other kids which is very unique. Senior, Halle Oldefendt said, “A parent came up to me at a hockey game and told me how much I influenced their daughter and how I am a really positive role model in their life now and that really made me realize why I do what I do.” Oldefendt speaks for many Intro to Education students who see firsthand the impact that they make on their students that truly does not go unnoticed. 

This class puts students who are looking to become a teacher at an advantage. Not only does it give students a college credit but it also provides them with experiences in the teaching field which helps students know if teaching is the right path for them. 

Originally published in the January Print Edition.