St. Olaf College Education Department

03/29/2022

12/13/2021

Have you ever wondered about what it's like in other classrooms? I have a notebook somewhere in a box in my closet filled with notes about my observations of other teachers (many who were not my host teachers). If you're student-teaching, I encourage you to do the same. I've created this blog as a way to write down what it's like in my classroom. As a St. Olaf Alum, I remember having a brain full of ideas, with peers who were so passionate about changing the world it felt like there was so much to do and never enough time. This blog is a way of saying, "Hey, you're not alone." I'm three years into teaching right now, and I can tell you, it's not easy, but boy/girl/they/them, is it worth it. If you have any questions, please reach out. One of my regrets from college is never learning how to ask great questions. I will tell you, the question I asked to the Minnesota teacher of the year when he visited St. Olaf was, "What advice do you have for a first year teacher?" He told me, "Every day is a fresh start." No, I don't have any great advice like that, which carried me through my first year, but I can certainly be honest, and maybe that can go just as far. You can subscribe to my blog if you click the "about" page, and I would be happy to answer any questions or connect in any way possible. I'm sure you're all doing amazing. That's definitely something I wish I got told more. Work hard, and rest harder.
Um yayayayyayaa.
Colin

05/29/2021

Spring 2021 - celebrating seniors. Congratulations!

10/05/2020

https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/music-should-be-fun

Nick Love ’19 has evolved as a musician during college and beyond. By following his interests, outside of tradition, he’s becoming the music educator he wants to be.

09/08/2020

Aspiring Educators stands in solidarity with the Cultural Union for Black Expression and denounces the inaction of President David Anderson and St. Olaf administration to address systemic racism within our institution. Performative gestures and hijacking the labors of BIPOC students is horrifically unacceptable and can no longer be dismissed. The censorship of student voice which occurred on Friday, September 4, and which has been occurring since the protests of 2017, is a sign of white fragility and institutional oppression. Enough is enough.

As aspiring educators ourselves, it is essential that we take the time to examine our own positionality within the racist school industrial complex. It is not enough to “love our students regardless of color.” It is not enough to simply not be racist. That colorblindness is harmful to the students that we are supposed to serve. Each of us needs to intentionally take on a commitment to anti-racism in our educational practices and in all facets of our life. As an organization, we are working to craft a resource packet with information regarding anti-racist teaching in all content areas that will be accessible to all education students. We commit to hosting events that educate students on the employment of anti-racist strategies and the presence of systemic racism within educational institutions. Further, we will be drafting a list of demands to address systemic racism within the St. Olaf Education Department itself.

Aspiring Educators encourages students to become accomplices to our BIPOC community by attending CUBE meetings. Email [email protected] to be added to the CUBE email alias, and attend meetings on Thursday evenings from 8-9 pm. Anti-racism is not a trend. It is on us to ensure that the conversation doesn’t die and that action towards real change takes place for our BIPOC peers.

For our BIPOC peers: YOU MATTER. We see you. We hear you. We stand by you. We will fight for you.

In Solidarity and Action,
2020-21 Aspiring Educators Exec Team

08/03/2020

Qty: 2

04/30/2020

Adapting to the current normal . . . small group for Student Teacher Candidate presentations. Good to see the familiar faces!

03/20/2020

https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/teaching-young-musicians-the-joy-of-collaboration?utm_source=cerkl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-03202020&cerkl_id=8573451&cerkl_ue=RTH%2BDQthSLf3mDy9BFseHxH425eWHe458hSo3q79l9c%3D

St. Olaf College alumnae Natalia Romero ’15 and Sophia Butler ’15 recently brought the high school music groups they conduct together for a performance of “Take What You Need” by chora…

03/06/2020

Major Declaration Day! The ED Department was represented by Rosie and Emily. A very fun event!

03/03/2020

Mankato, MN: Prof. Bob McClure and students attending a MN Social Studies Education conference yesterday!