GO CAPS Teacher Education
October Newsletter
Touring Local Schools
In our quest to explore different learning environments, GO CAPS Teacher Education students visited a Montessori school, the WOLF program, and Central High School as a group.
Discovery Garden Montessori is a private school for preschool through third grade that focuses on play-based learning. Teachers observe their students during their structured play instead of traditionally teaching. The school has a very different learning environment, which was an amazing opportunity for us to expand our horizons on what different kinds of teaching opportunities are out there.
The WOLF program is a choice option for 5th graders in Springfield Public Schools. It is based around nature and the outdoors. The way students get into the program is by entering their name and having it randomly drawn, just like a lottery. They take a very interesting approach to education, and it is a fun experience for 5th graders to go through.
Central High School is the oldest school in the city of Springfield, and it is the location for the International Baccalaureate and Scholars (middle school) programs, as well as other educational opportunities. They have kept a lot of the original building and try to stay true to the historical aspect of the school. It has very beautiful architecture that really makes it feel like you took a step back into the past. (Written by: Moji & Emily)
Exploring Child Development
Next, we moved on to observing middle school and high school students. We visited Westport Middle School to go back in time and revisit grades sixth through eighth. After this, we went to Kickapoo to observe the hectic lives of high school students. One of the GO CAPS students stated, “A teacher told me once that the mind is a blank paper and you can write your story on it. Watching the children develop, I saw that they were all on a different chapter, and that was really cool.” (Written by: Ashley, Maddie, & Lila)
Accelerating Innovation
Giving & Receiving Feedback
Recently the GOCAPS students had the privilege to receive feedback training presented by Heather Blades from the MSU Center for Dispute Resolution. We learned how to properly give and receive feedback. We were able to see how things are done when we don’t communicate versus when we do communicate. We learned how to properly respond and communicate with our boss. Heather Blades made the presentation very interactive and left each student with something new that they learned. (Written by: Turner & Tommy)
Meet Aubrey!
On this month’s edition of the student profiles, we decided to interview Aubrey. Aubrey is a senior at Glendale High School. When asked what she sees herself doing in the future, she responded with “I’m not really sure, but I think I might be a special education teacher.” For college, Aubrey is still undecided but debating between the University of Alabama, OU, or Pennsylvania. Aubrey decided to join GO CAPS when her older brother participated in the program and loved it.
We next asked Aubrey this complex question: “If you were given an elephant and you couldn't give it away or sell it, what would you do with it?" She responded with the simple answer of, “I’d put it in my backyard.” Aubrey’s favorite birthday present that she’s ever received has been a Jeep Wrangler which was totaled when she was hit by a drunk driver. She now drives a Dodge. We asked what mascara Aubrey uses, and she responded with, “Fake lashes for the win.”
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Animal: Elephant
Meet Alissa!
Alissa is a senior at Parkview High School. When she graduates, she plans on attending Missouri State University and is interested in a career having to do with Restaurant or Small Business Management. Alissa joined GO CAPS because it has a different environment than a regular high school, and the Teacher Education strand was the best fit for her. Her favorite class at school is College Algebra.
When asked her opinion on garden gnomes, she answered, “I think they’re fine,” but she doesn’t plan on having many when she grows up. When asked what she would do with a million dollars, she said, “I would give it to my family or donate it to charity.”
Favorite color: Yellow
Favorite movie: Princess Bride
(Written by: Ellie & Skyler)
Connect with GO CAPS:
Email: krcox@spsmail.org
Website: https://gocaps.yourcapsnetwork.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOCAPSedu/
Twitter: @GOCAPSedu