Most students walk into class, sit down, and wait for the teacher to start talking. But for Potosi’s student teachers, Mr. Kass and Mr. Wier, it’s the opposite. They're the ones standing at the front of the room, figuring things out as they go. For both student teachers, the experience has been a mix of nerves, learning, and getting a real feel for what teaching is actually like, not just what you learn in college. Mr. Kass teaches business and social studies, while Mr. Weir teaches ag classes.
Coming into a new school could have been uncomfortable, but both said that wasn’t really the case at Potosi. Mr. Kass explained that even though it was his first time at the school, the staff and students made it easy to feel comfortable right away. Instead of feeling like an outsider, he said he was treated like a real teacher. This helped him settle in quickly. Mr. Wier had a similar experience, saying everyone at Potosi was “super welcoming and supportive.” That kind of environment made a big difference, especially at the beginning when everything felt new and a little overwhelming.
Still, that doesn’t mean it was easy. Mr. Kass said he was pretty nervous at first, especially because his daily routine completely changed. Going from a college class schedule to waking up early and teaching all day was a big adjustment. He admitted it was rough at the start. But after a while, he got used to it and things started to feel more normal.
Mr. Wier also talked about that same mix of excitement and nerves. Starting in a new classroom, not knowing the students, and being expected to lead right away was intimidating. Over time, he started building relationships with students and earning their respect, which made teaching feel more natural. Something both student teachers agreed on is that actually being in the classroom is way different than just learning about it. Mr. Kass mentioned that he has been able to attend meetings and training events, which helped him understand tasks like grading and how schools really operate. Mr. Wier added that being in the classroom has helped him see how what he learned in college actually works in real life.
They’ve also learned that not everything comes easy right away. Mr. Kass pointed out that learning new systems, like grading programs, took some time to figure out. It wasn’t something that just clicked instantly, but it’s gotten easier with practice. Even with those challenges, both explained that the experience has been worth it.
A big reason why is the support from the staff. Mr. Wier said the teachers have been “awesome.” They have always been willing to help with questions or problems. He even mentioned that they helped him with his resume and cover letter. Mr. Kass also said the staff has been very helpful, especially when it comes to trying new strategies in the classroom.
Looking ahead, both Mr. Kass and Mr. Weir plan to continue in education. Mr. Weir said he wants to become a high school teacher in Wisconsin. He feels like this experience has helped prepare him by giving him real classroom experience, not just textbook knowledge. Mr. Kass is also interested in being a full time teacher and said this experience has helped him better understand what the job is really like.
At the end of the day being a student teacher isn't just about completing a requirement. It's about stepping into the role for real. From being nervous on the first day to feeling more confident in front of a class, both Mr. Kass and Mr. Weir have come a long way.