Four IUP student teachers share their unique experience of teaching while under quarantine.

IUP Student Assistance Fund

An experience for every certified K-12 teacher in Pennsylvania is the student teaching semester. It's the time when coursework ends and in-the-classroom, hands-on teaching begins. Their cooperating teacher gives assignments and mentors IUP's students as they learn the ins and outs of managing a classroom. As the pandemic took hold of almost every aspect of life, many student teachers were left wondering if they would get to do a student-teaching experience as Pennsylvania's governor closed all public and private schools. For IUP's 118 student teachers spread across 35 school districts, requirements were eased and experiences continued in the virtual environment.

These are a few of the stories from four students placed with teachers in the Indiana Area School District.

Miranda Uhrig

Miranda Uhrig introduces herself through video to her first-grade classroom.

First grade student teacher at East Pike Elementary School

Major: Early Childhood/Special Education

Hometown: Mount Airy, Maryland

Megan Caton

Megan Caton sits at her makeshift work station at the dining room table in her parents' house.

First grade student teacher at Ben Franklin Elementary School

Major: Early Childhood/Special Education

Hometown: Palmyra, Pennsylvania

Anne and Gina

Two IUP student teachers read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to third-grade students.

Third grade student teachers at Ben Franklin and East Pike Elementary Schools

Major: Early Childhood/Special Education

Hometowns: Newville and Dowingtown, Pennsylvania