Students in the Westmoreland County area travelled to Saint Vincent College for a Rising Educators Day. This was a field experience for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors that allowed students, who strive to have a future career in education, to experience how Saint Vincent´s education program works, as well as many examples of how it would feel for them while in the classroom.
Saint Vincent, a private catholic and Benedictine college was founded in 1846, as the first Benedictine college in the United States, Saint Vincent offers over 90 undergraduate programs and several graduate degrees. One thing Saint Vincent really takes pride in is their education program. They were known for a very long time as a teachers’ college and tried to keep that legacy alive while offering more degrees for other students. So, they offer several field experiences, like the Aspire to Teach field trip, for their education department to shine and show its uniqueness.
Madi Balko, a student who attended the field trip, explained, ¨The staff and students all seemed very kind and they were all passionate about what they do. They seemed like very down-to-earth people who were easy to talk to and get a lot of good information from.¨ The student volunteers got to show their knowledge for the college’s education program, and why they feel it is structured and right for them. Each volunteer had fifteen minutes to go to each table of students and really get a deep dive into their topic. Six-step program, which discusses how students progress to eventually student-teach at the end of their four years at Saint Vincent.
¨They really amazed me when they got to talking about their experience with getting to go out into the field of teaching so early. It really showed me what a high standard Saint Vincent’s education department is held to,¨ exclaimed Madi Balko.
The students went on a full campus tour to allow them to see all that Saint Vincent has to offer. They even got to stop down at the Fred Rogers Center and the Winnie Palmer Nature Preserve. The Winnie Palmer Nature Preserve is an amazing way to allow Saint Vincent students to get out into nature and take a break from the stresses of college.
Students rotated from table to table in the education room, playing little games that may be used in the classroom and getting a glimpse into some hands-on types of learning they might use someday. One station included the opportunity to do a small science experiment. It was a scaled-down version of the elephant paste experiment. They used a small plastic cup to scale down the experiment. They poured the two components together and created a flowing liquid from the cup. It really got the creativity rolling in the room and showed how fun projects can be.
The students were given a chance to get a meal from the cafeteria. This gives visiting students the chance to really blend in with the college students and get a glimpse of what college life might feel and taste like. This was also a valuable time as the tour guides really get to know the students during this time. They got to sit down and really talk about life now, life in the future, and what to expect in college and life after college.
Chosen by teachers the students who attended this field trip are ones that teachers know are headed down an education path. Madi Balko remarked, ¨This field trip definitely made my education path definite, and it made me want to do it so much more.¨ These students felt very lucky to be able to attend, as it gave them more of a chance to get the answers they needed about whether education is for them. It gave an extremely hands-on experience to those who attended. ¨This field trip made me realize that education is definitely the place for me. The college itself and the professors helped guide me into loving Saint Vincent and making it one of my top college options,¨ said Morgan Glessner. They limit it to about seven students from each school. This allows each student to have a more individual experience. They get to become way closer with each other and also all the mentors and teachers who take them through the day. If there were more students, it would become less individual and less detailed as there would be less time for each interaction.
Many teachers at Greater Latrobe who attended Saint Vincent made many amazing memories and feel very highly of the college and what it does for educators. Mr. Trentin noted, ¨I can’t say enough about those men and women over there and what they have done for me. As well as what they still do for me. I know I can reach out to them whenever I have a block in the road. I know I have a family at Saint Vincent that is just one call away.”
¨From the number of people who have graduated and teach here, I would say Saint Vincent is one of the best education departments. I know a lot of these teachers, Dr. Snyder, unbelievable teacher, Mrs. Stallings is one of the best. And so many more that have left great marks on the school. And you may say that the ones I have mentioned are teachers who have been around for a long time, but then you see these young educators like Mr. Trentin, an absolutely amazing teacher,¨ said Mr. Savekis. The way these teachers talk about Saint Vincent radiates that feeling of passion about something.
The Aspire To Teach club advisor, Mr. Trentin is extremely passionate about teaching and really wants to ensure he gives his students the chance to see what it is like. Mr. Trentin expresses, ¨ Ultimately, what I really want for the students I have in my club is to give them all the experience I have and that I can get to them. To help them find their home.¨ Trentin values trying to change somebody’s life in one way or another by the way he teaches and communicates with his students.
¨ It’s hard to change the whole world, but if you can change somebody’s world, that is changing the world to me,¨ said Trentin. He takes pride in his profession where he is working one-on-one with so many different people in different situations. He does his best to get to know each and every student and change some aspect of their lives.
The Aspire To Teach field trip had a huge impact on the Greater Latrobe students who attended, and hopefully, all the students from all the districts. Saint Vincent should be proud of their education department and the impact it makes on so many young students trying to navigate their way to the rest of their lives.
