Courtney Cutler and Mason Pair student taught here from UNO for this past semester. Cutler has helped out in the math department, and Pair in social studies. Their last day was May 9.
On a day to day basis Cutler took over the class and taught the lessons. She took
over grading and creating the homework assignments. Being a student teacher for her was taking on that teacher role as much as she could.
“It always depends on what teacher you’re paired with, some mentor teachers believe in more of the cooperative model which is where you’re both coaching and in the room, you bounce off each other,” Cutler said. “Some mentor teachers believe in the whole you start teaching and I’m going to disappear and that’s the one that I followed with.”
As far as college goes Cutler said she still has courses to complete; student teaching is technically a class for her as well. This includes a research paper with statistics regarding her students and their test scores.
“I have little assessments I have to do, so like assignments that’ll come my way and I complete them,” Cutler said. “I looked at y’all’s test scores and analyzed that, then did a statistical analysis comparing before I applied an instructional strategy and that transition.”
Although Pair said he enjoyed his time at Bellevue West, he actually plans to pursue education outside of the classroom.
“My ideal role would be somewhere in museum education,” Pair said. “I do think my dream spot to end up would probably be the national parks, but until then, I’ll find a job that I can use the skills that I learned teaching.”
Pair’s favorite thing about teaching in the classroom was the relationships built between him and the students along with the teachers and mentors he’s worked with.
“Being closer in age to a lot of my students really helps, and it’s very cool to see them grow throughout the semester and just get to know them,” Pair said.
Pair said due to some pretty incredible teachers he had growing up it really inspired him to go down the education pathway, as well as getting to go to college for free due to the Teachers Scholars Academy.
Teachers Scholars Academy is a program partnered with UNO accepting top teacher candidates. These candidates must portray leadership skills and be active in the community. The people in the academy receive $5,000 per semester towards their education.
“It’s a really good resource, great professors and people, just a really good community on campus,” Pair said. “It’s something not everyone gets so, something to be grateful for.”
Pair said his love for museum education inspired him to pursue education outside of the classroom. He discovered this working at one his sophomore year of college.
“I saw all the possibilities of not being constrained to curriculum necessarily, and being able to be creative with your lessons and reach a wider audience of learners,” Pair said.
Cutler said one of her favorite things about her experience is building those relationships with her students. Her favorite professor had a saying that states you’re a person before a student and she’s taken it with her.
“I really like getting to know the students and learning more about who they are outside of math, sometimes we focus on performance, performance performance,” Cutler said. “It’s just cool to see the person before the student.”
Cutler said due to her mom being deaf she’s always had to help out her whole life, and now she has the ability to help others recognize their capability in math.
“I was able to go from someone who hated math to someone who does love math,’’ Cutler said. “My whole life I’ve had to help people, and life doesn’t feel meaningful unless you’re helping someone.”
