Planning for Our Future
Planning for Our Future
GP Tech Teacher Prep Students Become the Teachers in Local Internships
By M. Churchwell
In the end we retain from our studies only that which we practically apply.
- GOETHE
A Chinese proverb says "If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people." Imagine the implications, then, of educating future teachers, like ripples on water, radiating from a single point and seemingly boundless. Kelly Brock is GP Tech’s Teacher Prep instructor, and she knows if we are planning for posterity, the secret is to train teachers.
Mrs. Brock, a National Board Certified Teacher, also knows the most profound learning takes place when students apply the concepts she teaches in class. In addition to multiple hands-on projects in the classroom and active engagement in the student organization FCCLA, Teacher Prep students also participate in an intensive internship during their 2nd semester in the program. Students intern at local pre-k, elementary, and middle schools for many weeks beginning in January and wrapping up near the end of the semester.
These internships are not just about earning credits. They provide Mrs. Brock’s students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a practical setting. Internships are transformative, invaluable experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice, preparing students for the day-to-day responsibilities of teaching.
Students are carefully matched with local elementary and middle schools, where they gain firsthand experience in a supportive environment. During their internships, students take on a variety of roles, from assisting teachers with lesson plans to leading classroom activities. One of the most significant benefits of these internships is the development of essential teaching skills. Interns learn effective classroom management techniques, how to design and implement lesson plans, and strategies for engaging students. They also gain valuable professional skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.
The impact of these internships is best illustrated through the success stories of our students. Abryana Dunn, who completed her internship at the elementary school she attended, shared, "Walking back into the school after so many years made me feel a little nervous because I’m not coming back as a learner; I’m coming back as an educator.”
Abryana also shared that perhaps the most important lesson she learned from her internship is that “it doesn't matter how much experience you have with teaching kids or teaching period, you're never going to be a master at it.” She goes on to say even the best, most experienced teachers will have moments when they lack confidence or have to ask for help.
It doesn't matter how much experience you have with teaching, you're never going to be a master at it.
- ABRYANA DUNN, TEACHER PREP STUDENT
These profound lessons—the importance of lifelong learning, reflection and self-awareness, and knowing when to ask for support—can only be gained through experience and will follow Mrs. Brock’s students wherever their paths as educators take them.
Internships not only prepare students for the immediate challenges of teaching but also enhance their long-term career prospects. Many students find that their internships open doors to further opportunities. The networking and professional relationships built during these internships are crucial to providing students with mentors and references they can reach out to as they pursue their education and career.
For high school students considering a career in education, our Teacher Prep program and its internship opportunities are a perfect starting point. We encourage prospective students to explore these opportunities, and we appreciate local teachers and principals who support this vital learning experience. For more information about our Teacher Prep program, visit Great Plains Technology Center.
