Five Bluefield College senior teacher education students recently completed valuable career training through the school’s student-teacher program, which offers hands-on experience to students alongside veteran teachers in local classrooms.
The most recent BC teacher education students to complete the student teaching experience during the spring 2018 semester included: Courtney Oxford of Tazewell, VA; Joshua Dye of Swords Creek, VA; Kendall Haynes of Cana, VA; Shawn Howell of Bluefield, VA; and Laura Kincer of Tazewell, VA.
Teacher licensure training through Bluefield College’s Teacher Education Program is known for being an extremely rewarding experience that leaves graduating seniors well prepared as they enter teaching careers. It is through this experience that veteran teachers at various schools help the BC students grow in their skills and knowledge of how to work in the classroom setting.
“The Teacher Education Program at Bluefield College has given me the tools and tips I need to not only be successful within a classroom setting, but also in life,” said Kincer, who completed her student teaching at Graham High School.
Kincer is the daughter of Henry and Barbara Kincer, and she graduated from Tazewell High School. While a student at Bluefield College, she also has served as a member of the Lady Rams softball team, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and Sigma Tau Delta National English Honor Society.
“The Teacher Education Program has helped shape me into the teacher and person I am today,” added Oxford, who did her student teaching at Graham High School, North Tazewell Elementary School, Graham Intermediate School, Dudley Primary School, and Abb’s Valley-Boissevain Elementary School. “I have formed relationships with my professors, teachers and my fellow future teachers that will last a lifetime, and I know I can always count on them.”
Oxford is the daughter of Robyn and David Oxford and is a graduate of Tazewell High School. At BC, she is a member of the cheerleading squad, cross-country team, Student Virginia Education Association (SVEA), and Student Government Association. She has also been named frequently to the Academic Dean’s List and is the recipient of the Gerald E. Clay Scholarship of Excellence in Teacher Education.
“This program has been one of the most thorough, exciting, and engaging experiences that has made the transition from theory to practice simple and straightforward,” said Dye, who served as a student-teacher at Richlands High School, Tazewell High School, and Honaker High School.
Dye is the son of Bernie and Cindy Dye and husband to Brittany Dye. He attended Honaker High School and Southwest Virginia Community College before coming to Bluefield College. At Southwest, he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. At BC, he is a member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society and Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education and has been named to the President’s List.
A graduate of Graham High School, Howell completed his student teaching at Graham High School and Graham Middle School. He is married to Kimberly Alcorn and is the son of Richard and Judy Howell. Howell graduated from Bluefield College in 2012 and is now finishing his Master of Arts in Education (MAEd).
“This program has been one of the most thorough, exciting, and engaging experiences that has made the transition from theory to practice simple and straightforward,” said Howell.
Haynes, the son of Darryl and Wendy Haynes, served as a student-teacher at North Tazewell Elementary School, Graham Intermediate School, Abb’s Valley-Boissevain Elementary School, Dudley Primary School, and Graham High school. A graduate of Carroll County High School, he’s a member of the Rams cross-country team, where he has been named three times to the Appalachian Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. He has also been a frequent recipient of the Academic Dean’s List distinction.
“The Education Program has prepared me to be able to go straight into the workforce,” said Haynes, “and has given me the confidence that I can run my own classroom.”