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A new lesson plan for App State student teachers

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Jordan Nievinski, a graduating senior from Kernersville majoring in elementary education, is student teaching second grade in Wake County. Photo submitted

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Laura Ialuna, a graduating senior from Denver majoring in elementary education with a concentration in Spanish, is student teaching second grade in Lincoln County. Photo submitted

“Adapting to remote teaching has demonstrated to me how tough and resilient teachers are. We’re dedicated to making sure every student has materials and is able to learn and is cared for.”

Laura Ialuna, a graduating senior majoring in elementary education with a concentration in Spanish

By Jan Todd
Posted May 1, 2020 at 3:38 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — For education majors at Appalachian State University, student teaching is the capstone experience that provides the opportunity for seniors to put their knowledge and skills to practice — taking on daily teaching expectations in a public school classroom for one semester. In spring 2020, however, the emergence of a global pandemic provided a student teaching experience like no other.

Typically, App State teachers-in-training complete internships and field experiences in semesters leading up to student teaching. Then, Appalachian’s Office of Field Experiences coordinates the placement for student teaching, where the student observes for about a week prior to taking responsibility for planning and teaching lessons in the classroom.

“Adapting to remote teaching has demonstrated to me how tough and resilient teachers are. We’re dedicated to making sure every student has materials and is able to learn and is cared for.”

Laura Ialuna, a graduating senior majoring in elementary education with a concentration in Spanish

The clinical educator, or “host teacher,” remains in the classroom and serves as an observer, guide and mentor. In addition, the student teacher is observed by school administrators and by App State field supervisors.

When the North Carolina schools closed in mid-March, student teachers had to make quick adjustments along with all educators in the state — transitioning to online teaching and sending work packets home with children who did not have internet access.

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When North Carolina schools closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, App State student teachers learned to use online teaching applications, such as this one, to transition their classes to remote learning. Photo submitted

“We had about a week to come up with a game plan, look at resource options and figure out logistics,” said Jordan Nievinski, a graduating senior from Kernersville majoring in elementary education. Nievinski, who is student teaching in second grade in Wake County, worked with other teachers at her school and with county education administrators to convert classroom instruction to online delivery.

Nievinksi and other Mountaineer student teachers also received instruction and support from Appalachian’s Reich College of Education, with online events including professional panels by school administrators across the state and other professional development, said Dr. Hannah Reeder, director of clinical education in the Office of Field Experiences.

“From the beginning of the transition, Appalachian provided everything from instructions on how to get Google certifications for online teaching applications, to a virtual career fair where we could have face-to-face time with potential employers,” Nievinski said.

Laura Ialuna, a graduating senior from Denver majoring in elementary education with a concentration in Spanish, said Reeder and her staff also assured the student teachers they’d be eligible for licensure, in spite of their time being cut short of the required 16 weeks of classroom time.

“It was a comfort to know Appalachian was making sure we could meet all requirements, so we could focus on our students and lesson plans,” said Ialuna, who is student teaching in second grade in Lincoln County.

While online resources differ by school, student teachers are using some of the following standards:

  • Instructional platforms such as Google Slides or Classkick to send daily lessons and assignments.
  • YouTube instructional videos recorded by the teachers for their students to watch.
  • A program called Seesaw that allows students to record themselves reciting spelling words or other activities.
  • Live Zoom or Google Meet sessions where teachers share screens for demonstrations and answer questions about lessons.

Keeping it personal

Despite the available technology, student teachers realize the value of personalization. To keep the children engaged, Nievinski and Ialuna have hosted show and tell sessions, read books aloud, led discussions and simply allowed the children to visit with one another.

“A big part of school is the social and emotional component,” Nievinski explained. “We want to make sure the students have time to interact and just be kids.”

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Jacob King, a senior from Charlotte majoring in health and physical education with a minor in coaching, engaged students while dressed as the school mascot, pictured right, during a pep rally in Union County while school was still in session. While he doesn’t have regular class time with students now, he “pops in” on other teachers’ Zoom sessions to lead workouts and activities the children can do at home. Photo submitted

“This experience will prepare me to be ready for anything in teaching, adapting to circumstances whether it be a tornado drill, snow days or long-term closure.”

Jacob King, a senior from Charlotte majoring in health and physical education with a minor in coaching

Jacob King, a senior from Charlotte majoring in health and physical education with a minor in coaching, is student teaching in Union County. As a physical education teacher, King doesn’t have regular class time with students since the transition to online learning, but said he “pops in” on teachers’ Zoom sessions to lead students in workout sessions or physical activities to break up their class time and keep the children active while they are at home.

“This experience will prepare me to be ready for anything in teaching, adapting to circumstances whether it be a tornado drill, snow days or long-term closure,” King said.

Ialuna and Nievinski also noted that the sudden move to remote teaching provided valuable lessons — including exposure to online resources that they plan to use in their future classrooms. Both intend to ensure students have plenty of practice working online while in the classroom, so they’ll be ready if schools have to close again.

Nievinski also realized the importance of building strong relationships with students early on, she said. “Having had the opportunity to get to know the students and build trust between us made the transition a lot smoother when we had to move online.”

“Adapting to remote teaching has demonstrated to me how tough and resilient teachers are,” Ialuna said. “We’re dedicated to making sure every student has materials and is able to learn and is cared for.”

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

YouTube teaching channels

Several App State pre-service teachers have created YouTube channels with lessons for their students in their field placements.

Rhneea Riddle, a senior middle grades education major from Boone, created a series of videos of math lessons to help her students and other adolescents learn how to solve math problems while at home.

Morgan Plumley, a junior elementary education major from Union Mills, created a series of videos of fun activities, such as lessons on maps and adventures, spelling, liquid density and community building.

Haley Harbin, a senior elementary education major from Charlotte, created a video combining a science lesson on ecosystems and a challenge to “clean-up your backyard.”

Mountaineers moving mountains
Mountaineers moving mountains

Appalachian State University’s faculty and staff are transitioning events and experiences to online platforms and developing new ways for Mountaineers to connect.

Learn more
Reich College of Education
Reich College of Education

Appalachian offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor's, master's, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. With so many teacher education graduates working in the state, there is at least one RCOE graduate teaching in every county in North Carolina.

Learn more
App State named No. 1 nationally for certified teachers
App State named No. 1 nationally for certified teachers
Dec. 18, 2019

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ranked Appalachian No. 1 in its “Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of NBCTs” list for the fourth consecutive year. Appalachian leads the nation for the number of National Board Certified Teachers — 2,057.

Read the story
Elementary Education (BS)
Elementary Education (BS)

Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education prepares students to teach in kindergarten through grade six and leads to a North Carolina teaching license.

Learn more
Health and Physical Education, K-12 (BS)
Health and Physical Education, K-12 (BS)

The Health and Physical Education, K-12 (BS) degree prepares students for teaching careers in physical education and/or health education and leads to the K-12 Health and Physical Education professional educator’s license.

Learn more

About the Reich College of Education

Appalachian State University offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls more than 2,000 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs, with offerings that span multiple fields — from teacher preparation, counseling, and therapy, to higher education, school and student affairs administration, library science, educational leadership and more. With over 10,000 alumni employed in North Carolina public schools, there is at least one Reich College graduate in every county in the state. Learn more at https://rcoe.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“Adapting to remote teaching has demonstrated to me how tough and resilient teachers are. We’re dedicated to making sure every student has materials and is able to learn and is cared for.”

Laura Ialuna, a graduating senior majoring in elementary education with a concentration in Spanish

YouTube teaching channels

Several App State pre-service teachers have created YouTube channels with lessons for their students in their field placements.

Rhneea Riddle, a senior middle grades education major from Boone, created a series of videos of math lessons to help her students and other adolescents learn how to solve math problems while at home.

Morgan Plumley, a junior elementary education major from Union Mills, created a series of videos of fun activities, such as lessons on maps and adventures, spelling, liquid density and community building.

Haley Harbin, a senior elementary education major from Charlotte, created a video combining a science lesson on ecosystems and a challenge to “clean-up your backyard.”

“This experience will prepare me to be ready for anything in teaching, adapting to circumstances whether it be a tornado drill, snow days or long-term closure.”

Jacob King, a senior from Charlotte majoring in health and physical education with a minor in coaching

Mountaineers moving mountains
Mountaineers moving mountains

Appalachian State University’s faculty and staff are transitioning events and experiences to online platforms and developing new ways for Mountaineers to connect.

Learn more
Reich College of Education
Reich College of Education

Appalachian offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor's, master's, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. With so many teacher education graduates working in the state, there is at least one RCOE graduate teaching in every county in North Carolina.

Learn more
App State named No. 1 nationally for certified teachers
App State named No. 1 nationally for certified teachers
Dec. 18, 2019

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ranked Appalachian No. 1 in its “Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of NBCTs” list for the fourth consecutive year. Appalachian leads the nation for the number of National Board Certified Teachers — 2,057.

Read the story
Elementary Education (BS)
Elementary Education (BS)

Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education prepares students to teach in kindergarten through grade six and leads to a North Carolina teaching license.

Learn more
Health and Physical Education, K-12 (BS)
Health and Physical Education, K-12 (BS)

The Health and Physical Education, K-12 (BS) degree prepares students for teaching careers in physical education and/or health education and leads to the K-12 Health and Physical Education professional educator’s license.

Learn more

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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