Intro to Education

RAHS "Intro to Ed" Course Turns Students into Teachers

By Anna Gerike

REEDSBURG, WI — For many high schoolers, the classroom is a place to learn. But for students in the "Intro to Education" course at RAHS, the classroom is becoming a workplace.

Mrs. Brenda Williams, a Nationally Board Certified teacher who holds a Master’s Degree in Education, is currently leading the course through its second year. Her advanced credentials allow her to teach the rigorous dual-credit curriculum through Madison College, giving students a head start on their professional journeys.

Williams, who already teaches a dual-credit class through Madison College, pitched the idea to administration after noticing the offering in the college’s curriculum. Her goal was simple: get students into classrooms early to see if teaching is their true calling.

"What makes this class so special is that it gets students exposed to classrooms early," Williams explained. "For students who know they want to work with children, it's a great opportunity to get them some experience now."

Beyond providing experience, the course serves as a vital reality check for those considering the field.

"It's also a great chance to find out if teaching maybe isn't the right fit," Williams said. "It's a shame to get a few years into an education program and then decide you want to do something else. If you don't get into classrooms right away, you don't get to feel what it's really like to work in a classroom every day."

The course is a heavy academic lift. To earn dual credit, students must complete at least 50 hours of field experience across two separate placements: one at the K-2 level and one at the 3-5 level.

"Students also complete the same coursework as the Madison College students, using the same textbook and completing the same major papers," Williams noted.

Students finish the semester by building a professional portfolio of their work and experiences. This collection is a valuable asset they can use down the road when applying to various schools of education within their future colleges or universities.

During placements at local schools like Westside and Prairie Ridge, students observe veteran teachers in action. Williams encourages her students to be more than just bystanders.

"Some teachers feel comfortable getting my students involved in the lesson, helping with projects, or checking answers," she said. "I tell my students they're there to watch, but they should be as helpful as they can."

The most powerful part of the class, according to Williams, is the total shift in perspective. The course is designed to help students stop seeing the room from a desk and start seeing it from the whiteboard.

"Most high schoolers haven't been to an elementary school in a while, and they come to class with LOTS of stories," Williams observed.

She noted that the primary "aha" moment for most is realizing the sheer complexity of the job.

"When most students go through a school day, they see school through the eyes of a student, but my students are starting to see school through the eyes of a teacher," Williams said. "It's really powerful to make that shift."

This professional foundation covers the technical side of the career as well, including school law, finance, and pedagogy—the literal science of how to teach. Williams hopes this background helps students make an informed decision about their future.

In the coming weeks, the RAHS news team will follow up with specific students currently enrolled in the course to share their personal experiences and stories from the field.

Ultimately, the course is about the future of Reedsburg. While Williams wants her students to find the career path that fits them best, she admits she has a special hope for the future of local schools.

"Selfishly, the hope is that we inspire students to pursue education," Williams said, "and then they come back and teach in our district!"