MOBILE, Ala. – It takes a lot of hard work and organization to make the first few days of a new school year successful, says University of Mobile alumna Stephanie Dial, assistant principal at Saraland Elementary. Now, a new partnership between Saraland Elementary and the University of Mobile School of Education – the “Beginning of School Experience” – is giving student teachers at UM an opportunity to work side-by-side with veteran teachers during those crucial first days.
“The administration of Saraland Elementary invited us to participate in the Beginning of School Experience because they understand and realize how challenging the start of school can be for brand new teachers,” says Dr. Ashley Milner, dean of the UM School of Education. “Our students have extensive experiences in various schools, grade levels and school systems starting in their sophomore year – over 200 hours in the field. But because the college semester starts after k-12 schools have already been in session a few weeks, pre-service student teachers don’t often have the opportunity to experience those early days.”
UM students participating in the Beginning of School Experience are not getting class credit for their three days of service – but they are gaining a priceless experience with Saraland teachers who become mentors.
“We’ve had classes already about classroom management, and so we’ve done plans like first day of school scripts and how to set up a classroom and things like that. But it’s really neat to be in a classroom and see how that works hands-on,” says senior Bethany Kilgore.
How It Started
Assistant Principal Dial says the idea for the Beginning of School Experience was born last spring as Saraland Elementary administrators were interviewing and hiring new teachers.
“We started talking about the challenges that they would come in to, and the fact that most of them had done their student teaching last spring and never saw the opening of school modeled for them. How can you be good at something that you’ve never seen done?”
So this year when school was about to start, Dial reached out to her alma mater with the idea of the Beginning of School Experience.
“We want these student teachers to have this opportunity so that when they get their own classroom, they come in feeling more confident. They’ll have something to pull from,” says Dial.
Why It’s Important
Veteran teachers like Allison Nelson, a 2006 UM graduate, say what happens on that pivotal first day sets the tone for the rest of the school year.
“You are establishing the community ‘family’ you wish to have for the year. Explaining procedures, demonstrating how your room operates and setting clear routines are essential,” says Nelson, who is beginning her 9th year as a 5th grade teacher at Saraland, with a total of 15 years of teaching experience. Knowing what to do when they walk in class every morning, where to turn in homework, test procedures, and what to expect from the start of the school day to dismissal gives students a sense of stability.
“For parents, we are establishing ways of communication, reassuring them that their child will be loved and accepted for who they are and that their child will receive the best education and be pushed to be their best self, both socially and academically,” she continues.
On the first day of school, “the students are deciding if they will feel loved, safe and comfortable in your room. What will be expected of them? Will they have a cheerleader for a teacher, cheering them on to do their best, or a dictator telling them this is the only way? For me, I want to set my students’ minds at ease from Day 1 on all those questions they have running through their minds. I pray that most of those questions are answered and felt as they enter my room for the first time by how I greet the student and their parents at the door, seeing a warm smile, feeling a comforting hug, experience a bright and cheerful classroom,” says Nelson.
A Sense of Community
UM senior Allie Kelley says she is using the Beginning of School Experience to take note of effective first-day-of-school procedures she can use in her future classroom. It’s one of many opportunities she has experienced through the University of Mobile School of Education, and one of the many lessons she is learning.
“The university encourages education majors to get plugged into their community and lean on others so that they are being the best version of themselves for their students each and every day,” Kelley says.
“One way that UM has prepared me, in particular, is by instilling a sense of community. As an educator, you will wear many hats and will be expected to accomplish many goals in one day. This can take a toll on an individual if you are trying to accomplish everything on your own. Being a teacher requires working with one another and taking advantage of the resources around you” like the Beginning of School Experience.
To learn more about the University of Mobile School of Education, visit umobile.edu/education or schedule at campus visit at umobile.edu/visit. To learn about scholarships and apply for admission, visit umobile.edu/apply or call 251.442.2222.
Photo: UM student Allie Kelley, left, with UM alumna and Saraland Elementary 5th grade teacher Allison Nelson
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the University of Mobile unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
