Even with the teaching profession under fire from Common Core Learning Standards, some students are forging ahead with plans to become a school teacher. WBFO's Focus on Education Reporter met a SUNY Buffalo State student who was 'out in the field' training for her future career.
Students are buzzing as they change classes at Cheektowaga Central High School. We found Buffalo State senior Christina Ward inside one of the classrooms waiting for students to settle in where she's been spending the semester as a student-teacher.
“Why do you want to become a school teacher?” asked Buckley. “I don’t know, it stemmed from this place of wanting to help people, wanting to help the world and I saw the work that teachers are doing with students, I saw the work that my teachers had done from me and I just thought there could be nothing better in life to be able to shape and help the young minds of America,” responded Ward.
In her student-teaching program at the Cheektowaga school, Ward has been assisting with an AP and Digital writing course.
“It’s such a rewarding experience to see all the different perspectives, whether it be from cultural background or just personal experience that they bring to the table and their creativity is very impressive,” noted Ward.
Ward has a front-seat in witnessing student behaviors and struggles.
“Each student comes to the table with their own struggles and their own problems,” said Ward. "When you see a student sleeping in class, they’re not necessarily sleeping in class because they’re bored with what you are doing, they’re sleeping in class because there is something going on at home and I think sometimes it takes that extra step from the teacher to talk to them one on one and let them know you are them for them as a support system and that they are not alone in this and you want them to succeed,” explained Ward.
Ward said the personal connections help the students in their struggles.
Given the current climate in the world of teaching in elementary and high schools Ward said she is not discouraged.
“There is a price tag on changing the lives of young people,” Ward stated.
