Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: MBU Student Teachers Experience Urban Education
MBU Student Teachers Experience Urban Education
January 17, 2003
Student teachers from Missouri Baptist University, in partnership with the St. Louis Public School District, embarked on the University’s Urban Field Base Experience on Wednesday, January 15. This all-day event introduced students at the beginning of their student teaching assignment to a diverse urban and multicultural setting in the public and magnet schools of downtown St. Louis.
MBU students visited a sample of four different schools: Metro High School, Roosevelt High School, Kennard Classical Learning Academy, and Monroe Elementary. They took notice of the student to faculty ratio, classroom climate, faculty effectiveness in instruction, and student participation.
“The objective of the Urban Field Base Experience was to acquaint the student with as many types of diversity they may encounter in schools of today. Our students must be trained to deal with the needs of all children,” describes MBU Director of Education, James French. These needs, regardless of the child’s geography, are belonging and love, sense of self-worth and dignity, freedom, and fun—even if these needs are hampered by economic or other factors.
“Roosevelt High School was very diverse. In one class, 6 different languages were spoken with one teacher leading,” remarks Kurt Lehman, Senior education student. The trilingual teacher handled the diversity by utilizing several translators. Kurt’s objective in his student teaching of high school mathematics and seminars like Urban Field Experience is to “grow as much as I can in this semester before I begin teaching in the fall.”
Missouri Baptist University student teachers, both undergraduates and those enrolled in MBU’s graduate education program, will participate in a second Urban Field Base Experience near the end of their student teaching in April. This sequential event will allow students to visit a school for a more in-depth observation in the arena they wish to work within.
« MBU Appoints Vice Presidents of Business Affairs, Student Development
News Archives
DARE Awards Ceremony Held at Missouri Baptist University »
Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
# # #
