Learn to Teach

Welcome to 2009 and a whole new semester at Saint Michael's College! Since it's too cold to do anything else, I've decided to talk about education. I've gotten a bunch of questions about the SMC primary education major and the secondary education licensure program, so I'll try that and maybe I'll get some people interested in that aspect of Saint Mikes.
In my opinion, this is one of the best aspects of Saint Mikes. It all starts off with a sticky note plan.
Basically, all education majors start off the career by making a plan for the next 4 years at SMC. Education majors have a lot to do and only 4 years to do it in. We plan out what courses we need to take for our major, education and otherwise, our LSR's, and all of the various tests and other events required to finish the program. It's really an amazing system, and because of the sticky notes, things can be moved around as things need to change really easily.
We also do something called group advising sessions. Basically, first year education majors have their first education advising sessions with each other, Junior and Senior education majors, and the professors. You get to meet other people interested in teaching, make sure that your plan is a good one, and get all they're questions answered. This major is one of the best because it draws all of the students closer at a very early stage.
All the while, your probably taking your first education courses. Unlike many programs, you start shadowing a local teacher in the first course. Saint Mike's gets you into the classroom to get real experience in the field, which is something I didn't really see elsewhere. I served in a elementary school music class, and it was one of the best things about my First Year at Saint Mikes.
That's all well and good, but there may be some bad parts to the program. Personally, I think these are good things, but I can see how they could be bad. This major is kinda restrictive and demanding. It demands the best of its students, which can be hard for some people. You must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA generally, in your major, and in your education courses. If you don't, you could get kicked out of the major. Personally, I haven't had an issue with that, but I can see where it could be a problem. Other than that though, it's awesome.
This program is one of the reasons I first considered choosing Saint Mike's, and it was one of the many points which caused me to finally choose Saint Mikes. If you have any interest in becoming a teacher, then you would be crazy to not check us out.
And with that, I think I'm done. I think I'll continue to freeze my butt off on duty here in Ryan Hall, but feel free to send me some questions or whatnot. I'm not going anywhere.