At LHS during the second semester students may see student teachers walking the halls or joining in on classes. Student teachers lead lessons to graduate into official teachers.

“I’ve got two lovely cooperating teachers, Andy Ballnik and Daniel Nolan-Welsher who both run incredible, but also very different classrooms. I’m trying to take the best of both worlds and add my own spin on things” said Max Mallet, a Spanish and theatre student teacher.

Student teachers are expected to teach while still going to school making balancing being both the teacher and student a priority. 

“You have to think more actively about when you can set aside 20 minutes to finish an assignment or start writing a lesson plan,” said Mallet, “As soon as I have my lists all checked off that means I can relax and make sure I’m all rested for the next day. Which is a weird thing I’m learning, resting is also a responsibility in a sense, it’s like I owe it to the ‘Max of tomorrow’.” 

Teaching in a classroom is the last step to get a teaching license, giving a chance to explore grade levels and find what they want to do with the classes they teach.

“I intend to teach middle school and elementary school at different points in my career as well so I get a feel of all the different teaching environments and know that I’ve found the right spot for me,” said Mallet. 

Student teachers use the real life experience in a school setting to adjust to  the environment and learn to interact with students but also faculty. 

“My favorite thing so far is getting to know the students and staff. It’s a great community and y’all really help give me the energy to make new lessons, refine ideas and show up excited to teach each day,” said Mallet.