Since 2021, ND-ACES has sponsored the Rural Student Teaching Experience (RSTE) program. The RSTE supports student teachers while they complete a one-semester internship in rural North Dakota schools, primarily in STEM classrooms. The program offers participants mentorship from experienced educators and provides them with a stipend to cover their living expenses while they are away from their home campus. Thirty-three undergraduate students pursuing teaching careers have participated in the RSTE since its inception, and several of them have gone on to permanent positions in rural North Dakota schools.
“Research shows that support and mentorship during the early years of teaching impact retention in the profession,” says University of North Dakota Associate Professor of Science Education and RSTE Coordinator Ryan Summers.
“The RSTE has helped many early career teachers by providing financial support during what is often an unpaid internship. The funding allows educators to focus on learning during their internship, reducing the need for them to work another job on top of a 40+ hour week,” Summers explains.
“Mentorship is critical for early career educators because they are planning lessons for a live audience each day and reacting to various situations that arise. It is important for new teachers to have a space to talk through these experiences.” Summers is grateful that other veteran educators and teacher educators have lent their expertise to the weekly mentoring sessions this year.
This semester, with additional financial support from UND, the RSTE was able to accept eleven students into the program. We caught up with them to find out where they taught and what’s next.
Kristin Albrecht, Valley City State University, Mathematics Education
Student teaching assignment: 7-12th grade math at North Border School District in Pembina
Next year: Teaching in Starkweather
Anna Beer, Dickinson State University, Mathematics Education
Student teaching assignment: 8-12th grade math at South Heart High School
Next year: Teaching math to grades 7-12 at New England Public School
Lauren Brown, UND, Elementary Education
Student teaching assignment: 4th grade at Thompson Elementary School
Next year: Continuing her master’s degree in education and substitute teaching in Arizona
Rebecca Everding, UND, Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Student teaching assignment: Kindergarten at Tate Topa Tribal School in St. Michael
Next year: Teaching at Tate Topa Tribal School
Paige Jadeke, UND, Elementary Education
Student teaching assignment: 4th grade at Thompson Elementary School
Hannah Lawson, Minot State University, Chemistry Education
Student teaching assignment: 9-12th grade chemistry/science at Minot North High School
Madison Mildenberger, UND, Elementary Education
Student teaching assignment: 4th grade at Apple Creek School in Mandan
Next year: Teaching 2nd or 4th grade at Sunrise Elementary in Bismarck
Rachel Nistler, UND, Elementary Education
Student teaching assignment: 5th grade, Thompson Elementary School
Next year: Teaching 5th grade at Manvel Public School
My experience with student teaching has been wonderful. I was able to grow immensely in my confidence and my teaching skills, and it taught me what it looks like to put what I have learned into practice. Being in a rural school has also helped me to learn because I have had support from the entire school community. I am extremely thankful for the experience I have had. I will be teaching 5th grade next year in Manvel, North Dakota. I am looking forward to working at a small school, and I cannot wait to see how I continue to learn and grow as an educator.
Audrey Rubish, UND, Mathematics and Secondary Education
Student teaching assignment: 7-12th grade math at Larimore High School
Next year: Teaching middle school math in Omaha, NE
Student teaching was such an incredible experience. The school I was at provided such a positive atmosphere and every staff member was so kind and ready to help or answer any and all of my questions. It was exciting to get to try out some fun teaching ideas and learn more about my teaching style. The extra mentorship through the RSTE program was so crucial. Having a support system that is going or has gone through what you are is really important. The rapport we developed through the Zoom meetings was really reassuring and helpful when things got stressful. The lessons we had throughout the semester were also very beneficial in developing myself as a teacher.
Cassidy Sanderson, VCSU, Mathematics Education
Student teaching assignment: 7-11th grade math at Valley City High School
Samantha Whalen, UND, Biology and Secondary Education
Student teaching assignment: 7-8th grade science at Thompson High School
Next year: Teaching 6-8th grade science at Manvel Public School
I loved my student teaching experience in a rural school setting. I went to a class A school here in North Dakota, so experiencing a smaller school environment was very eye-opening for me in many different ways. I found that the students connected better with each other, and the staff did too. It was my student teaching experience that helped me realize that a rural school is where I would prefer to be in my future career. The mentorship through the RSTE program was so nice, as I was able to connect with other student teachers across the state and collaborate with them.
