I'm Julie Troutman and my major is Elementary Education. Me decision to become a teacher was really made in my own time as a student the public education system. There were so many teachers I just loved to learn from and teachers who truly inspired me that I felt like teaching was the career for me. This is a field in which we can truly make a difference in the world, and that is good to know!
My field expereince so far has been incredible. I have been with teachers who are very different and teach different grades, but who still invest in their students. These teachers have each shown me how much better students respond to you when they can see that you care about them. I have also been fortunate enough to see two very different grades, which has taught me how versatile I must be in the teaching profession! Above all, though, the best thing has been the students. They are always so excited to see a new face, and I love the welcomed feeling I get from them.
I chose to participate in International Student Teaching because there is not going to be any better time in my life to get a true experience of immersion into a new culture. At this point I almost feel like I have nothing to lose! I will certainly gain new knowledge about the culture and lifestyle, but I will also be met with new challenges! Meeting these challenges will certainly result in a great amount of learning, which I am not yet aware of!
I have had a little bit of experience in Central America. I did spend ten days in Costa Rica and about as many in Guatemala on two separate mission trips. I've also had some purely tourist experience in the Caribbean.
Comments (1)
Julie,
I am a supervisor of student teachers here at ASU. Of course, I have never had any experience working with international student teachers but I am very excited about the program. I agree with you that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn and grow and experience a different culture.
I have done quite a bit of traveling in my lifetime and I always found the experience enriching, especially when I have had the opportunity to go beyond the tourist experience.
You mentioned some mission trips. I have also been on some mission experiences, most notably in Mexico and in Russia a few years ago.
I will be interested in reading about your experiences and those of the other student teachers.
Sharon Canipe
Posted by Sharon Canipe | December 13, 2007 12:51 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 12:51