Northwestern’s Enid, Woodward Campuses Play Host to Teach Oklahoma Students

November 20, 2018

Teach Oklahoma classes from Enid and Woodward high schools visited the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Enid and Woodward campuses recently to learn more about the teacher preparation program.

Teach Oklahoma is an initiative sponsored by the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, with a goal to encourage students to consider pursuing teaching as a career. The Teach Oklahoma curriculum focuses on teaching, observation, and professional development, while engaging students in clinical teaching exercises.

Enid High School’s Teach Oklahoma class visited the Northwestern-Enid campus on Oct. 30.

Enid High School students from Dusty Hugaboom’s Teach Oklahoma class assist with a literacy/art project in the Enid Public Schools/Northwestern pre-kindergarten classroom.

The field trip included speaking with current Northwestern students about the requirements of becoming a teacher candidate as well as visiting the Enid Public Schools/Northwestern Pre-kindergarten classroom to help with a literacy/art project.

“Our students had a great time at NWOSU, and they learned so much about the university’s education program,” Dusty Hugaboom, EHS Teach Oklahoma sponsor, said. “It is our hope that students in my class will choose to be teachers in the future. NWOSU is an excellent option for them to continue their education, and we feel fortunate to have them as a partner for our program.”

EHS Teach Oklahoma students involved in the event include: Alexandria Barron, Raven Conyers, Ashli Davis, Katherine Donaldson, Emmily Edwards, Daisy Flowers, Halee Gamble, Kira Higgins, Kayla Kelley, Alison Moore, Emma Stewart, Natasha Stocks, Axton Thurman and Breanna Trammell.

Northwestern education majors involved in the Enid event include: Emily Ceniceros Bellinger of Enid, Caitlin Evans of Enid, Kelcie Hainley of Enid, Kirstie Hoffman of Ponca City, Brannon Robinson of Enid, and Morgan Webb of Enid.

A Regents’ grant, which was written by Northwestern associate dean of education and professor of education Dr. Christee Jenlink, made the Enid visit possible. The grant also provides similar opportunities to students at Woodward High School.

Woodward High School’s Teach Oklahoma class visited the Northwestern-Woodward campus on Nov. 9.

Woodward High School Teach Oklahoma students visited Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Woodward campus to learn more about the teacher preparation program. Back Row (left to right) Elise Foss, Ty Wiggins, Brayden Love, Rylie Wakefield, Clinton Shelton, Tanner Bowman, Kyle Reynolds, Dr. Henry Trabuc, Dr. Christee Jenlink; Middle Row (left to right) Dr. Deena Fisher, Megan Brown, Lindsey Smith, Carmen Gonser, JoLynn Love, Michelle McDonald; Front Row (left to right) Alecia Benton, Xiclali Villa, Caitlyn Crawford, BriAnne Green, Cassey Collins, Patricia Lira and Carli Hensal.

The event included a “Kahoots” game in which the high school learned facts about attending college and Northwestern. The game also featured information about the Northwestern teacher preparation program. After the game, the Teach Oklahoma students joined Northwestern students for lunch. During that time, the high school students had opportunities for in-depth questions about college life and teacher preparation.

WHS Teach Oklahoma students involved in the event include: Alecia Benton, Cassey Collins, Caitlyn Crawford, Carmen Gonser, BriAnne Green, Carli Hensal, Patricia Lira, Brayden Love, Xiclali Villa and Ty Wiggins. 

Northwestern education majors who assisted in the Woodward event include: Tanner Bowman of Cherokee, Megan Brown of Blackwell; Elise Foss of Tonkawa; Clinton Shelton of Woodward; Lindsey Smith of Woodward; and Riley Wakefield of O’Neill, Nebraska. 

Kyle Reynolds, superintendent of Woodward Public Schools, was in attendance in addition to JoLynn Love, teacher for the Teach Oklahoma Woodward students, and Michelle McDonald, curriculum specialist for Woodward Public Schools.

“Collaborations such as these are essential for ensuring we are able to meet the needs of students in our classrooms in the future,” Jenlink said. “This project is a positive approach to resolving the teacher shortage.”

In the spring, the Woodward students will join the Teach Oklahoma students from Enid High School for a day at the Northwestern-Alva campus.

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CONTACT FOR RELEASE

Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist

eedavis@nwosu.edu; 580-327-8480