Six student teachers are shadowing the school’s teachers this semester.

The student teachers are Anthony Meals, Kaitlyn Paul, Jackie Johnson, James Courtney, Alexandra Hutchison and Cole Cherryholmes.

Meals is from Clay Center and student teaches for Curt Vajnar in agricultural education.

“It’s been a blast,” Meals said. “Mr. Vajnar and I make quite the team and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish with the students this semester.”

Paul is from Salina and she is with Desirae Kinderknecht and Lisa Colwell in the math department.

“I have really enjoyed it so far,” Paul said. “I wanted to teach because I love learning and I want to help other students enjoy learning and more.”

Many times student teachers have been interested in teaching for a while before they choose teaching as a profession.

“I have been interested in teaching for a long time,” Meals said. “Since 4th grade, I knew I wanted to teach, but what I wanted to teach changed probably a hundred times.”

Vajnar said he thinks the student teacher program is very necessary.

“Meals has a lot of energy and is fun to have in class,” Vajnar said. “Student teachers don’t have a clue about the subject they want to teach before student teaching, so the experience is really important for them.”

15sberens@usd489.com