Ashland University Students Head for Warmer Climate for Student Teaching Semester
Approximately 30 Ashland University students gathered in the Schar College of Education building last week prior to leaving campus for their student teaching semester.
These students are headed for warmer weather and more sunshine in school districts in various parts of South Carolina and Florida as part of Ashland University’s Southern Internship Exchange Program.
“This program gives our teacher education students the option of taking their student teaching semester at locations in South Carolina and Florida, and allows the students to live with host families to keep costs lower,” said Dr. James Van Keuren, dean of the Dwight Schar College of Education.
Joe Hendershott, director of field experiences and internships at Ashland University, said the Southern Internship Exchange Program has been very popular among students in Ashland’s undergraduate teacher education program, which is the largest academic program on campus and has been NCATE accredited since 1973.
In addition to being popular because of the warmer weather in the south, the program opens up additional job opportunities for students graduating with teacher education degrees.
“An Ohio teaching degree, paired with the exchange program, can open students to job opportunities in high-growth areas,” Hendershott said. “Growth in these southern states, paired with what amounts to a seven-week job interview, gives a student with an Ashland University education degree real mobility and a career advantage.”
Even in a tight job market, Hendershott encourages prospective students to consider the University’s nationally recognized teacher education program because “there are always jobs for excellent teachers.”
For more information about the program, contact Joe Hendershott at 419-289- 5254 or email him at jhender2@ashland.edu.
Ashland University’s Dwight Schar College of Education (http://www.ashland.edu/colleges/college-education) is recognized as a leader in teacher education in Ohio and throughout the Midwest. Ashland’s teacher education program offers pre-K through doctorate level courses and all of Ashland’s education programs – undergraduate, master of education, doctor of education and professional development services – are recognized on a state and national basis.
Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2013, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.
