Maddy Winokur, a current senior at Rocky, is spending her last semester as a student teacher for 6th grade English at Kinard Middle School. Through the class “Intro to Education Teaching” at Front Range Community College, Maddy is able to learn what it takes to be a teacher.
The semester-long class is split into two sections. One quarter is spent in the classroom as a student.
“I learned about the different ways of learning, teaching strategies, and a lot about education background,” Maddy said.
The next quarter is in class work as a teacher. Students are assigned to a class that aligns with their interests or what they are looking at teaching. Maddy is currently a student teacher for 6th grade English.
She learns by watching and helping the class, while also teaching herself. She has taught two lessons. One about Ethos, Pathos, Logos and the other about effective communication and why learning how to use your words and voice is important.
She is in charge of making the lesson understandable for the kids.
“I follow what the rest of the unit has been about and take inspiration from past presentations.” Maddy said “I make it my own because I include a lot of newer examples.”
Because Maddy is closer to the kids’ age she understands what is “trendy” or what examples the kids will understand and makes a point to add them to her lesson.
“I put an Olivia Rodrigo photo holding a Stanlry for ethos,” Maddy gave as an example.
The kids have become really special to Maddy through her short time in the class. One of her favorite memories from the class was when she told them that the blue Jolly Rancher candy is her favorite and since that moment they have saved her the blue ones. She also has a secret handshake with one of the kids.
“I have always known I wanted to do something in the teaching field,” Maddy said.
Maddy talked about how through her love of Theater and English she found a joy in teaching. “I love getting up and talking to people.”
She went on to talk about Mr. Glenn, a current English teacher at Rocky, and how he has been an inspiration for her to go into teaching.
“I love how he sets up his classes and how he has connected with me and other students, That connection with me is what made me want to teach because I could have that connection with kids and inspire them.”
Teaching can get hard sometimes. Maddy talked about her biggest struggle being control over the classroom.
“I have only been there for a month so I haven’t established that role yet,” she explained.
She also talked about how the small age gap can be difficult because she’s not their main teacher and they don’t have to listen to her.
“I can also get buddy buddy and when I teach they listen but it’s hard to get them to focus when I am not teaching.”
Maddy still enjoys the teaching experience and is going to Colorado College next year for Secondary English Education and is looking forward to bringing her experiences from Kinard with her.
