Parkersburg, W.Va. (Sept. 7, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is proud to announce its Fall 2021 student teacher candidates, teacher residents and Clinical Teachers of Record.

“It is always a pleasure to watch all our student teachers enter the field and begin their career,” said Dr. David Lancaster, Education division chairperson. “However, with two of our students going to Jackson and Wirt counties as Clinical Teachers of Record, it is extra special. This time, we will be supporting both counties due to the teacher shortage, and I’m very proud that our students can assist them during these challenging times.”

The WVU Parkersburg Elementary Education program provides field experience in the classroom as early as a student’s freshman year. However, during their final semester, student teacher candidates will enter the classroom, taking on increasing teaching responsibilities under the mentorship of an experienced teacher.

Student teacher candidates also can complete a year-long residency in lieu of one semester of student teaching. Under this model, student teacher candidates will have time to assume classroom responsibilities gradually.

Due to the teacher shortage in West Virginia, WVU Parkersburg has also placed two Clinical Teachers of Record (CTRS) in Jackson and Wirt counties. CTRS will student teach for one semester under the supervision of a university instructor and will receive pay and benefits. As a CTRS, the student teacher candidate will have complete responsibility of the classroom.

“I am so grateful to both WVU Parkersburg and Jackson County Schools for allowing me the opportunity to manage my own classroom before graduating in December,” said Nisha Holley, Jackson county CTRS. “I have tremendous confidence in the education and training I have received as a teacher candidate in the Education program. This opportunity means I will be able to take the strategies and skills learned and directly apply them to the classroom. I feel the best learning experiences are not found in textbooks. The best learning experiences come by doing, putting into practice what we have been taught.”

The Fall 2021 class of student teacher candidates includes:

Katie Carroll
Kinley Caudle
Greg Cochran
Britney Hersman
Camille Jones
 

 
The Fall 2021 class of teacher residents includes:

Lakyn Ankrom
Toni Cain
Meredith Davis
Leah Harvey
Alexandra Tennent
 

 
The Fall 2021 class of CTRS includes:

Nisha Holley
Shayla Griffey

 
To learn more about the Elementary Education program, please visit wvup.edu/programs. Contact Dr. David Lancaster at david.lancaster@wvup.edu or 304-424-8314 to start a career in Elementary Education or Child Development.