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Mt. Pleasant graduates fast-tracked to elementary education careers
Programs at MPCHS set up two graduates to finish degrees in less time and get to teaching
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — Two Mt. Pleasant Community High School graduates shared with the Mt. Pleasant Community School Board about their return to the school district thanks largely to opportunities given to them while students at MPCHS.
Abby Blint and Kali Barnett highlighted how the district’s Work-Based Learning Program, dual enrollment with Southeastern Community College, and a Foundations in Education class set them on the path to their future careers in elementary education.
Blint, a 2022 graduate, is nearing completion of her degree at Iowa State University and will graduate in May. She told the board that she is “super excited for the opportunities” she has.
Barnett, who graduated in 2023, is currently studying elementary education at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.
"One of the opportunities that Abby and I have had in the Mt. Pleasant Community School District that we'd like to talk about that got us where we are today is some of the work-based learning experiences," Barnett said.
Reflecting on their time at MPCHS, both credited the Foundations of Education class as a crucial starting point.
"This class kind of got our feet wet," Barnett explained. "Getting this dual credit through Southeastern Community College prepared us for college courses and gave us a look at what the foundations of education looked like. It played a big role in knowing we were on the right path."
Their senior years provided another transformative experience through the district’s Work-Based Learning Program.
"A couple hours a day, we were able to go over to the elementary school," Barnett shared. "I did second grade and fifth grade to see and be active in the classroom, making sure that was what I wanted to do in college."
Barnett said this work-based learning opportunity gave her the opportunity to see the difference in grades and classroom management to understand how she might lead her own classroom someday.
Blint highlighted how this opportunity paved the way for her current student teaching role.
"I will now student teach with the third-grade teacher I worked with during the program, Amanda Dunn, who now teaches fourth grade," she said. "I'm excited to work with her again."
Currently, both Blint and Barnett are student teaching at Van Allen Elementary, with Barnett working alongside Kelsey Maynard.
"We get to work together as student teachers, and we've already learned a lot in just over a week," Barnett said.
Blint will remain at Van Allen until March before heading to New Zealand for the remainder of her student teaching experience.
"Everyone has provided different experiences and resources so far, and it's just been a great environment," she said.
Barnett added that she is fortunate to spend her entire semester with Mrs. Maynard at Van Allen in fourth grade.
"It's been a great start so far,” she said. “She's been great with communication, great to answer all of my questions, and she's been great to explain all the things that the district is moving forward with, like proficiency scales, curriculum, just things like that.”
Barnett also emphasized how the ability to take courses through Southeastern Community College allowed them to accelerate their education.
"Because we were given the opportunity to take classes online, we were able to transfer credits efficiently and get on the right path quicker," she said. "Another thing that I wanted to touch on real quick is the opportunity that Abby and I both had. With this when we went to four-year schools, I only went for two. She only went for three. Because we were given the opportunity to take classes online through Southeastern Community College, which is a great experience for both of us, we really found that we wanted to do elementary education. So, we were able to have our school counselor plan classes through SCC online that we could get a transfer degree in elementary education and transfer anywhere that we wanted, that would lead us down a path to get us to where we want to be quicker and make it more efficient. So that's how we were able to get it done so quickly, and also it's just been a great opportunity to take those classes and have that foundation as we moved on to college."
Barnett began her courses with SCC her sophomore year at MPCHS and graduated with her associate degree and an Elementary Education transfer degree before even walking the stage for her high school graduation.
Looking ahead, both Blint and Barnett expressed interest in potentially returning to Mt. Pleasant Community School District to teach after completing their degrees.
"It's been kind of a full-circle moment to come back and student teach in my elementary building," Barnett said. "I'm excited to see what we can learn in the next couple months of student teaching."
Barnett noted her appreciation for the district's departmentalized approach for third, fourth, and fifth grades.
"I've subbed in different districts, and not every district does it this way. I enjoy teaching math and science, and this setup allows me to focus on what I love."
Superintendent John Henriksen commended Blint and Barnett for their dedication and praised the program's impact.
"We really appreciate you both coming tonight,” he said. “I'm sure Mr. Rodgers is here and finds it gratifying to see students becoming everything they can be as classroom teachers. Thank you very much."
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
