T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS - Marshalltown High School senior Santiago Guillen reads to Fisher Elementary fourth-graders as part of his Introduction to Education practicum Tuesday.

Marshalltown High School students have a chance to get an early start in learning to be a teacher.

An Introduction to Education course offers students a chance to learn about teaching, and then go and apply what they learn in local classrooms.

“Last year when we were signing up for classes, I saw that they were offering the class and I thought it was an opportunity,” said senior Santiago Guillen. “I thought why not do the class, get college credit for it and just experience what education is about?”

The class offers students both high school and college credits through Marshalltown Community College.

Guillen is currently helping out in Dave Daugherty’s fourth grade class at Fisher Elementary School. Fellow senior Zyrus Whitehead has been in Miller Middle School seventh grade teacher Sarah Benscoter’s class.

“At the beginning of last summer, I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I realized that I should probably get to figuring that out because I was going to be a senior,” Whitehead said. “I was a camp counselor and I really loved working with kids, and I wanted to know what it would be like to be in the education field, so I think I took this class not knowing that I wanted to be a teacher, but it’s definitely solidified that that’s what I want to do.”

Both students said the first semester of the class was about learning the basics of teaching. That included the history, philosophy and practice of the profession. This semester, they get to apply that knowledge with younger Marshalltown Schools students.

“Some of these students are people that go to church with me or people that I’ve seen in the community before, so getting to be with them in the classroom and see how they learn is really cool,” Whitehead said. “Also, I had Mrs. Benscoter in seventh grade, so it’s fun to be back with her with a different perspective than as her student.”

Guillen said he likes working with the fourth graders at Fisher. He said he likes the idea of being a teacher, but he is also interested in interior design. Either way, he said he will go to Marshalltown Community College for two years before deciding on a four-year university.

“If it’s interior design, Iowa State. If it’s education, either Iowa State or UNI,” Santiago said.

Whitehead said her heart is already in teaching.

“Next year I’ll be at UNI for elementary ed,” she said.

Both seniors said they would definitely recommend the Intro to Education class to younger students.

“I’m so glad the high school has offered it, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is even remotely interested in teaching,” Whitehead said.

Santiago said it is a good class for anyone, not just those bent on becoming a teacher.

“Whether they’re thinking of going into education or not, it’s a good opportunity because it also helps you think and gives you more of what it’s like to teach,” he said.

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Contact Adam Sodders at

(641) 753-6611 or

asodders@timesrepublican.com