The art of teaching others requires a balance between studying the theoretical and hands-on learning to create a holistic experience for aspiring educators.

Students would be amiss without learning the strategies necessary to properly run a classroom. But in turn, the field experience aspect of the University of Guam School of Education’s degree programs—both at the undergraduate and graduate level—provides an aspect of learning one cannot grasp by reading a textbook.

Most School of Education graduates say it is the student teaching experience that greatly shapes the type of educator they become in the future by developing their skills in real-life situations.

Practicums

Throughout the course of their studies, students at the University of Guam School of Education are exposed to the classroom setting during practicums, said Gayle Hendricks, Field Experience Coordinator and Physical Education and School Health Program Coordinator at UOG’s School of Education.

Depending on their area of study, students shadow teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels—observing how the classroom is run, the various strategies used, and what organizing a classroom looks like.

“Practicum is to give them an idea of what it is like to be in a teaching position,” Hendricks said.

And by spending time in multiple classrooms, students can pull from their observations and utilize these strategies in their own classrooms in the future.

During her freshman year, Krystal Ann Anade, now a senior double majoring in math and secondary education, observed instruction by a teacher at Augeda I. Johnston Middle School in Ordot.

“I saw her instruction strategy, and the students were highly motivated,” Anade said. This reaction from the students inspired her to return to Agueda Johnston for her final semester to student teach.

Tasha Palomo, a senior majoring in elementary education, said though not required during her student teaching semester, her mentors at Agana Heights Middle School have her observe other classrooms to gain an understanding of different teaching styles.

“Not every technique works for every teacher,” Palomo said. “Seeing the different aspects is such a good learning experience.”

It is in the final semester of the degree program that School of Education students are fully engaged in the classroom and student teaching.

Here it is where all the theories are put into practice, said Palomo.

“Student teaching is the most essential part of the degree program,” she said. “UOG has prepared us for this experience. We’re applying what we’ve learned, and it gives us students a chance to realize that this is what we want to do for our careers.”

Being in the classroom also helps UOG students understand who they are as educators—realizing their strengths and weaknesses and developing them both personally and professionally.

“Prior to me teaching a class, I was very timid,” said Anade. “I didn’t know how to interact with the students. I had to find a way to bridge the gap between student and teacher. When they were finally comfortable with me, I could understand why they were struggling and figure out how to help them.” 

Graduate Level Experience

At the graduate level, some students already have years of teaching under their belts before furthering their education. Patricia Anub, a graduate student studying administration and supervision, taught at FB Leon Guerrero Middle School for six years before returning to UOG to earn her masters degree.

But pursuing a degree focused on administration, Anub’s field experience looks more like attending board meetings, checking students’ lunches, and other responsibilities that expose her to the things administrators do.

“The field experience or my internship is done when I have free time,” Anub said. “In-between classes, during lunch, or after school, I go into the office and talk to my administrators and they give me tasks that help me get to know what it’s like to be in a leadership position at the school.”

Anub said she works closely with the assistant principals and main principal at FBLG on a daily basis to help gain an understanding of both the minor and major responsibilities of school administrators.

“Having that hands-on experience is really valuable for me as a graduate student.” She said. “That’s knowledge you can’t learn in a classroom.”

Having an understanding of how a school is run is more advantageous for graduate students, said Anub. With her prior experience, she was able to build on her knowledge and identify the aspects of administration that she wanted to know more about during her internship.

All three SOE students said they chose the University of Guam because it not only allowed them hands-on experience of being in a classroom, but it gave them the means to give back to their communities and impact the future of Guam and the surrounding islands.

“I feel like I can make a positive difference,” Palomo said. “I really want to give back to the students because they are going to be our leaders one day. I want to inspire and help the youth of Guam reach their fullest potential