The challenges faced by public school teachers are unimportant to University of Idaho’s secondary education major, Steven Lopes. The possibilities of inspiring students to make a difference in the world is what motivates him in his future career as an educator.
Lopes, a third-year student at UI, is working towards an education degree in his plan to teach middle school students. His influence derives from previous teachers leaving a lasting impression on him during his adolescence. He described his past educators as having the coolest job on earth.
“They push people to their limits, out of their comfort zones and they have a hard job,” Lopes said. “I wanted to be part of that great change.”
While there are benefits of helping children learn and gain knowledge through teaching, many educators face the discouraging reality of a low income. Lopes understands this factor, but views teaching as less of a job, but a long-term career where teachers can have a long presence in schools for decades.
Taylor Raney, director of Teacher Education at UI, spoke about the commitment of students in the education programs. Raney said that students have no difficulty persisting through the major. The current focus is recruiting students into the education college.
COVID-19 has had a large impact on the way classrooms have been able to function the past year. It has led to teachers utilizing zoom and forms of technology to continue the learning process outside of the classroom. Raney mentioned the accessibility and ease that can come with a Zoom meeting.
“I think there are some great opportunities for small groups in tutoring,” Raney said.
Lopes and Raney recognize how the past year will influence the future of teaching. Lopes faced an obstacle during a practicum that was completely virtual. He said the biggest challenge in the practicum was maintaining the attention of young students. It required Lopes to learn how to adapt his communication style to be effective over Zoom.
“This has brought out some greater ways for us to be better teachers by using adaptive lesson planning, by making changes in our classroom management policies,” Lope said.
The involvement of teachers in the UI education program has created a helpful atmosphere for Lopes. Lopes said the faculty do well correlating what goes on at UI and transitioning into the classroom. Raney said the goal for students is to learn how to approach a classroom, assess the environment and determine the future instruction required.
Lopes hopes to find a teaching position with a rural school after graduation. His draw to be a small-town educator come from his own experience.
“There are also some fantastic opportunities in these rural schools to make community connections that will last forever,” Lopes said.
Raney formerly taught in a rural school and recalls the experience of students understanding wildlife and farming. He learned during that time how to help students’ prior knowledge connect with what was being implemented in school.
Lopes looks forward to taking ownership of helping others in his future career as an educator. He hopes to help struggling students overcome their own obstacles and create a growing setting for students.
Sierra Pesnell can be reached at [email protected]