Jennifer Burton - Family & Consumer Sciences Student Teacher
Jennifer Burton, family and consumer sciences education major, is completing her student teaching this semester. She shares her experiences in an electronic interview:
Where are you completing your internship?
"My student teaching is being completed at Morton Middle School with cooperating teacher Christina Herrington and Jessamine Career and Technology Center with cooperating teacher RaAnn Miller.
What is your typical day as an intern like?
"Life as a teacher is not typically described as "normal". The first rule to being a teacher is you must be flexible. My normal school day includes 6 block periods, a lunch period and one planning period. During the lunch and planning period, teachers are involved in school meetings, committee meetings, and club meetings.
The main consistency that happens on a daily basis is that time flies in the classroom. It seems like the minute the class starts, the class is quickly over!
Most days are spent after school planning and creating innovative lessons for the students. This is the reason that I have chosen to be a teacher. I truly enjoy planning and creating hands-on, fun lessons for the students on a daily basis."
What is one of the things you learned as a student that you use often as an intern?
"The most important thing that I learned as a student is to be flexible. If you are unable to work on a flexible schedule you will have a hard time working as a teacher. I learned as a student that you must be able to adjust to anything that happens at any point in time.
On my first week of my internship I experienced a tornado drill, tornado warning - students in halls, and snow day all in one week! You MUST be flexible to succeed as a teacher!"
If you could share one piece of advice for other students in you major who are preparing to complete an internship what would it be?
"Remember that when you are taking any course at UK, you might teach the same course in your career future. I recommend that you keep the materials from all of your classes and use them as resources! Keep, borrow, and organize any materials that you can because they could turn out to be your best friends when you become a teacher! Look at every paper and document like it could help you out in your future!"
Would you like to add any additional comments?
"The most enjoyable experience about student teaching has been meeting and building relationships with the students."