By Claire Walinga

Teaching is what Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt would say is a calling. Intro to Education is a course that is offered as part of Windom Area High School’s pathway program. Teaching is difficult; it takes patience, persistence, and many other skills. The education profession has recently been experiencing a higher demand for teachers, and in response more universities are looking for high school partners to introduce the profession to high school students. Intro to Education gives students real world experiences in teaching; while showing students how rewarding the profession can be.

Intro to Education is part of the WAHS pathway program. The class teaches students the basics of teaching, the essentials of teaching, as well as giving students the opportunity to experience real world classrooms. Assistant Principal Paula Wolter Mattson taught the class two years ago when it first became available in WAHS. She said, “it also helps you decide what area you would like to be in. I had a student that was dead set on kindergarten, after the first 90 minutes they said, ``no I do not want this.” Wendy Schoolmeester, the Education 101 professor at SMSU, also said the clinical time helps students figure out what level their real passion lies with. 

Unfortunately the demand for teachers is getting higher each year. Wayne Wormstadt stated, “there is a shortage in every area of teaching. Especially in math, science, english, special ed, etc.” He also said schools are starting to see a shortage of applicants. Where there used to be 25-30 applicants there are now only 10-15, 20 if they are lucky. Wendy Schoolmeester administered a survey to 9th-12th grade students asking for reasons they would not like to become teachers. Some of the answers included, “it doesn’t pay well enough, no opportunity for advancement, I don’t like working with young children or young people, too much pressure to teach to the test, and teachers do not get enough respect.” Although all these students had these answers there are still prospective young teachers out there. 

Intro to education will be taught at WAHS next school year and there are some very excited students and teachers. Madison Prokosch is taking the class next year and said, “I’m interested in taking the course because I am thinking of pursuing a job in the education pathway. I am also looking forward to learning about what goes into teaching.” Kelli Doorenbos will be teaching the course for the first time next year and she is extremely excited. In an interview she explained, “I am very excited to open the world of education to everyone and help them find where they want to observe and help out in classrooms!” Additionally, to speak in first person narrative briefly, I will also be taking the class next year which excites me a lot. I have been interested in teaching since I started teaching swimming lessons just a year ago, and the clinical hours excite me the most.

Teaching is hard. It takes patience, persistence, good listening skills, willingness to help, and much more. But teaching is also very rewarding. When asked if teaching is rewarding, Laura Alvstad responded with, “yes of course! Everyday is different and some days the kids will make me little gifts, one day I got a rock with a smiley face on it.” Wayne Wormstadt said, “teaching was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. Although you may not see the result right away, watching the students grow up and see where they go is the best reward as a teacher.” Among the teachers who were questioned, many responded indicating that watching students grow up and seeing where they go was a common answer given to what is most rewarding about the profession. 

Filipino Author F. Sionil José once said, “the influence of a teacher extends beyond the classroom, well into the future.” Last summer, Paula Wolter Mattsen was going through the McDonald’s drive-thru when the person handing her her food exclaimed, “Mrs. Wolter?” It was one of her students she had a while back, he remembers her because she helped him get glasses. Moments like this happen around the world everyday. Whether it be as simple as glasses or helping a student decide what career they want to pursue, teachers help and inspire. Throughout the whole interview with Paula Wolter Mattson she rarely ever called her students students; they were always, “my kids.”