Spring 2022 Student Interns at Panhandle State

The Spring 2022 interns for the College of Arts and Education at Panhandle State are excited to for their student teaching positions. The students are teaching in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas.

The student teachers for this semester include McKinlee Martin interning at MacArthur Elementary, Liberal, KS teaching 4^th & 5^th Math and Science; Karina Ruiz interning at Wright Elementary, Perryton, TX teaching 2^nd grade; Alejandra Hernandez interning at Sunray Elementary, Sunray, TX teaching 1^st grade; Brandi Powers interning at Texhoma Elementary, Texhoma, OK teaching 5^th grade; Emily Elliott interning at Turpin School, Turpin, Ok teaching Elementary and Secondary PE; and Tanner ‘TJ’ Schmidt interning at North Park Elementary, Guymon, OK teaching 5^th grade math.

Director of Teacher Education Shelly Worm commented, “We are so proud of our Spring 2022 interns. They have entered their internship in a time where things are changing minute by minute and day by day. Each of them has proven they have what it takes to adjust to these changes and meet the needs of their students. They are mid-way through their internship, and we are proud to have them representing the OPSU Teacher Education Program as a group of the next promising educators.”

Student Intern TJ Schmidt stated, “Student teaching this semester has been an unbelievable eye-opening experience. The classroom where you get to put into practice the methodology that you have been taught is amazing. To see the classroom, you visualized come to life and individualize it with your students is a blessing. The classroom and OPSU have taught me that keeping teaching individualized and open-minded is the biggest influencer in a positive and effective teacher. Students are more willing to learn from you if you’re willing to learn from them. By doing this you give each child a special place in your classroom and an important sense of belonging.”