Student Teachers Join the Forces at Knox County
By: Alex Kelsey
Student teachers have taken over several of the classrooms at Knox County R-1 Schools. Van Tegtmeier is one of them, they are 25-years-old and works in the classroom with Mrs. Laura Greenley, in the high school LA 1 and 2 classrooms. Another student teacher is Saydie Potter, she is 22-years-old and works with Mr. Jeff Ackman in the Special Education room in the middle school. The last student teacher is Sydney Modaff. She is 22-years-old and she works with Mrs. Hunziker in the Special Education room in elementary school.
In LA 1 and 2, Mx. Tegtmeier teaches, grades, and plans all of the lessons for the class, and in Multimedia Journalism and Yearbook Mrs. Greenley teaches the class with Tegtmeier assisting her. Tegtmeier grew up in O’Fallon and attends Truman State University in Kirksville. They graduated with a bachelor's degree in English in 2019, and they want to earn a Ph. D. in Literature. Tegtmeier minored in Art History and Linguistics and majored in English and Education. Before teaching, they wanted to go into Music Production but shortly after decided to go into teaching after being influenced by a high school English teacher of theirs. Tegtmeier stated that in 10-15 years they plan to still be in this profession. They like working with the students and staff but he prefers smaller classes. Some of Tegtmeier’s hobbies include video gaming, sometimes educational ones, watching movies and TV shows, playing and listen to music.
Saydie Potter grew up in Brashear. Her hobbies include reading, baking, and spending time outside. She decided to go into teaching special education because of her twin sister who has a disability. Before making her decision of becoming a teacher she thought she wanted to be a nurse. Potter says she wants to help younger students with disabilities and be able to grow with them. Her roles in the classroom are making sure the kids are staying on task and to help with anything Mr. Ackman or students need. Potter also makes the lesson plans for the day. Potter attends Truman State University, majoring in psychology and minoring in Child Studies and Disability Study. She says she sees herself still loving this profession in the future. To strengthen and gain more experience with younger children, she is moving into the elementary school with Mrs. Hunziker this week.
Sydney Modaff grew up in St. Charles. She enjoys running and reading. She went to Truman State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in Special Education. She also minored in Psychology and Child Studies. Her roles in the classroom are teaching full-time, planning, and anything else the students or the teachers need. She was inspired to go into teaching by both of her parents and her sister who are all in the teaching profession. Modaff says she loves working with kids and is gaining a lot of experience working with children at Knox County.