Oct. 20, 2023 1:05p
(WGTD)---In a visit this week, Gov. Evers brought some words of encouragement to UW-Parkside students who are studying to be teachers.
Evers—himself a former teacher—spoke in two classes, praising the students for their decision to go into teaching, and also advising them to be prepared to tackle an increasing number of mental health and post-COVID-related issues. "You will be surprised at how much your efforts have to go into balancing--especially at the high school and middle school level--the content versus the importance of mental health--dealing with the day-to-day struggles young people have," Evers told them.
He may not have been completely aware that Parkside education students are assigned to public school classrooms early on in their education.
Ashley Falduto of Kenosha is in her third semester of student-teaching. She currently helps out at Mitchell Middle School in Racine, where she’s already put her training to good use. "It's really cool to be able to help students," Falduto told the governor.
Working at Mitchell, Falduto and the rest of the staff use various strategies to keep student emotions and behaviors in check. "It wants to make you teach because you know that we have the skills to help them," she said.
Evers’ visit to Parkside was meant to underscore his administration’s efforts to support the university system.
Asked by a student for advice on what it takes to be a good teacher, Evers responded by saying its important to have a lot of patience and a good sense of humor.
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