Meet Step 1 Student: Michael Dodson - Meet Master Teacher: Mr. Rick Walton, M.ED

CSUteach Student Spotlight: Mike Dodson

Finding the Right Fit
Meet Step 1 student: Michael Dodson

"It's my 6th year as an undergraduate...." Michael Dodson said with a grin. Originally pursuing an accounting degree at Kent State University, Dodson, 23, decided accounting was not for him. Transferring last fall to Cleveland State University, he enrolled in the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education and believed that teaching might be better suited for him.

Dodson is not alone. Roughly 50 percent of college students who declare a major will end up switching that major two to three times before they graduate according to a 2005 online survey (MyMajor.com.) Although this is common, finding a career path one is committed to and equally passionate about seems less likely. However, Dodson feels a career in education with the CSUteach program is a great match for him. "I am pretty excited about CSUteach," Dodson said. Ironically, it wasn't until he received an email from his brother in Florida that he learned about the new teacher preparation program at CSU. "My brother sent me an email about a Plain Dealer article on this program - CSUteach, so I looked into it." As he read more, he grew excited to learn of the UTeach model's reputation and recent acknowledgement from President Obama.

How did an accounting major gravitate towards teaching high school students? While he was at Kent, he spent summers coaching baseball. He enjoyed working with those kids and the teamwork dynamic and thought teaching might be a better fit for his love of mathematics. Currently a Step 1 student, he and the rest of his classmates have the opportunity to observe their mentor teachers in the field and contribute to actual lesson plans early on.

"It's an excellent opportunity to be able to observe (teaching) in the 1st semester... you can never get enough of those observations and opportunities to teach lesson plans."" But why teach high school? "With older kids, I might have a greater chance of making a difference and taking them to that next level...whether it's a job or college." By showing students how relevant and interesting mathematics can be, he hopes to help students realize the importance that education and math have upon real world skills.

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Meet Master Teacher: Mr. Rick Walton, M.Ed

Thoughts on the profession of teaching often come with misconceptions as do thoughts on the subject areas of science and mathematics. With roughly 30 years of experience as a science educator, the CSUteach Master Teacher, Mr. Rick Walton, embodies a new approach. Many believe teaching is a "hassle with rules and regulations" and that it is not rewarding, said Walton; "the fact is, students may see you more than they may see their parents. You may be the only adult in their day....It's awesome to think about the affects you could have."

Studying cloud formations, pond-water samples, nature, and delving into theories of cause and effect, Walton credits his passion for science and learning to two of his elementary teachers. Pushing him to look beyond the text book, he said - "They wanted us to see and understand the world around us."

As the Master Teacher for CSUteach, his role will mirror the roles of his childhood mentors; not only showing pre-service teachers how to bring science to their students but showing them how to do so in an engaging way.

Challenges arise at multiple points in teaching. One of the most difficult components, Walton says, is that "Often students wonder, ‘what's the use for all this?' and that has to be made clear." Bringing news, current events, and global changes into the classroom are crucial.

"Many issues come into the classroom," Walton began. At times, students lose family members, parents divorce, economic hardships arise, and other issues of the community permeate the bubble of the classroom daily. "You need to start each day against these odds and show them that despite those issues, school can be fun."

Excited for the CSUteach prograrm this fall, Walton describes the program as, "A wonderful opportunity for students to maintain their course of study and qualify for instruction without having to go back to school for a teaching license." Students are in the classroom, obtaining experience right away in their first course.

There is one notion he holds tight to and engrains within his students -- "Dont give up on your dreams...always pursue them. It's taken me 30 years to get to this position, but I'm doing something now that I've always wanted to do."