University of the Ozarks Education Students Visit SWAEC Area Schools

Southwest AR Education Cooperative and the University of the Ozarks partnered recently to arrange for education students to visit the school districts of Prescott and Lafayette County. This was as part of a pilot “study away” program, led by the teacher education program funded in part by U of O’s Alumni Association’s Joe Hoing Student Involvement Grant .  

Pam Smith, assistant professor of practice of education, reached out to SWAEC’s Recruitment and Retention facilitator, Vicki Jewell, hoping to bring her students to the area to be introduced to different learning environments.  Smith also wanted her students the opportunity to talk with various administrators about professional learning communities and qualities they look for in new teachers. Dr. Allison Freed, associate professor of science education and director of teacher education at U of O, joined Smith and the three education students.  

“The goal is to reach out to teacher education alumni teaching in geographic regions where there is a teacher shortage,” Freed said. “We hope this experience will encourage our future teacher candidates to explore the cultural, historical and ecological features of a new community, thus discovering the benefit of teaching in a high-need geographic area.”

Students Rachael Masterson, Michael Rankin, and Austin Neumeier along with Dr. Allison Freed, Pam Smith, and Vicki Jewell visited Prescott superintendent Robert Poole Friday morning.  Poole also introduced the students to the building principals and gave them a tour of the campus.  Friday afternoon, the group traveled to Lafayette County where superintendent Robert Edwards took them on a bus tour of the entire district.  The students also took in a football game that evening and were able to interact with Genoa superintendent, Garry Jameson.  Saturday the group traveled to Old Washington and toured the historic town.  

This two day trip allowed the students to not only visit area schools, but also “learn about the history and natural beauty of the area, attend an athletic event and reflect on the experience, “ Freed said. “After teacher candidates see other Ozarks alumni teaching and thriving in these areas, we hope the stigma and fear are reduced, and our candidates expand their horizons.”