Unlocking Teaching Success: Expert Insight on Early and Regular Classroom Experience

Behind many of today's celebrated minds stands a teacher who once inspired them to keep growing and learning. Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions, but it requires more than subject knowledge to be an effective teacher. If you're thinking about becoming a teacher, gaining significant classroom experience is one of the best things you can do for your career.

A recent case study highlights the stark difference between students who receive teacher preparation and those who do not. Certified teachers interviewed emphasized how crucial classroom management training was to their success. In contrast, non-certified teachers identified the lack of preparation as a major obstacle. Today, many colleges delay real-world classroom experience until junior or senior year of college. However, research suggests education majors who have hands-on teaching practice starting freshman year have a stronger foundation and numerous career advantages.

ADVANTAGES IN COLLEGE

Colleges like Berry ensure education courses have a field component in actual classrooms throughout all four years, knowing that these opportunities give students a competitive edge. At Berry, students observe and student-teach through partnerships with local schools, and then as seniors, they spend a full year in front of a classroom.

Gaining Immediate Exposure to the Classroom

No two schools are alike, and it is common for education students to picture their own school experiences or idealistic settings as they learn. Early classroom exposure allows them to experience diverse class settings and student needs, providing a realistic view of the various environments teachers may encounter. Receiving this perspective can help students determine what teaching methods most fit their personality, and they discover how different teachers handle diverse student needs.

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Connecting Theory with Practice

One of the most impactful moments for any student is learning a concept and then seeing it applied in practice. For education majors, witnessing teachers implement the ideas they are studying in the real world reinforces their learning. It also helps them build confidence. As they watch and learn, they develop familiarity with classroom management strategies or lesson pacing depending on the settings or observation ages. Student teachers also begin to form their teaching philosophies or the approaches they might take in the future.

Describing this experience, Bryson Smith, a second-grade teacher at West End Elementary in Rome, Georgia, says, “I’m beyond thankful that I experienced a variety of educational settings. Having multiple field experiences throughout my undergrad program allowed me to observe different grade levels, subjects and teaching styles/personalities. The exposure helped me begin my journey creating a classroom. I already had a repertoire of different styles built up to try that first year. It’s crucial that teachers give themselves the opportunity to explore different grades and school communities, as it will give them a head start in choosing the school that's their best fit.”

Taking on Responsibility

With four years of classroom experience, education majors receive a scaffolded approach to becoming a teacher. As future teachers gain confidence and skills, their professors, classroom teachers or mentors can gradually reduce their support, allowing them to do more in the classroom independently. Rather than learning to share knowledge while also controlling a room full of children, they step into responsibility confidently. Typically, student teachers may start with observation, then move on to assisting classroom teachers and eventually lead a lesson or a small group.

Jill Cochran, director of teacher education at Berry, says, “Teaching initially feels more natural to some people. But with the classroom experience gained in our program, all students make the transition to full-time teaching with confidence. I have had principals remark that our recent graduates act more like second-year teachers in their first year because of their significant classroom experience.”

Adding Opportunity for Scholarships, Grants and Research

Depending on the content that a student is hoping to teach, there may be grants or scholarships available as they engage in student teaching. For example, teachers are needed to prepare students for a rapidly growing number of jobs that require knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. If college students are interested in subject matter related to these fields, programs like STEMTeach at Berry College can help future teachers explore instruction in these areas earlier.

When students commit to one of these areas of study, they are often eligible for $15,000 to $18,000 scholarships funded by the National Science Foundation during their junior and senior years of college along with options for funded travel abroad. These students graduate with a dual major in secondary education and the STEM field of their choice and typically have their pick of jobs. They sometimes even receive a signing bonus when recruited.

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POST-COLLEGE ADVANTAGES

Improved Retention

Research suggests that teachers who are better prepared before entering the classroom are more likely to stay in the field. One study found that teachers with professional development opportunities or significant classroom experience in a real-world setting had much better retention rates. Researchers studied 1,000+ elementary program graduates over nine years and discovered better-prepared teachers were more likely to get jobs and remain in teaching, even when accounting for other factors. Their preparation helped them feel more competent and supported, reducing burnout and attrition.

Positive Impact on Student Achievement

It’s no secret that classroom management has a major impact on student achievement. Knowing this, it should be no surprise that teachers who have more practice in classroom management and a wider variety of classroom experiences are also more effective at classroom management, with positive effects on their students’ performance. When better prepared to handle diverse classroom situations and meet a variety of students' needs, teachers are likely to contribute to better academic performance.

Job Security

Graduates with four years of field-specific connections start their job search with a significant advantage. They understand the nuances of different school administrations and cultures from firsthand experience, making them more likely to apply to schools where they are a good fit or have established relationships. From an employer's perspective, these graduates are seen as more experienced. Positive mentoring during student placements in college encourages new graduates to seek guidance from other teachers, helping them navigate the challenging early years of teaching. In short, four years of real-world experience propels education majors into a successful teaching career more quickly.

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Ultimately, the journey to becoming an effective teacher is deeply enriched by early and continuous classroom exposure. Hands-on experiences not only bridge the gap between theory and practice, but they also cultivate an understanding of diverse educational environments. As aspiring teachers navigate these real-world settings, they develop the resilience, adaptability and confidence that will give them advantages in college and going forward. By investing in comprehensive teacher preparation programs, students leave college well-equipped to make a lasting difference in the lives of their students.