“I’m getting practical, real-world
experience that you can’t get anywhere else.”
While he’s only entering his junior year, Kelvin Sage ’13 Ed is
every bit at ease leading a classroom as he is learning inside of
one, thanks to the hours of field work he’s performed as a St.
John’s University undergraduate.
“What I love about The School of
Education is that each class puts you out into the field with
students,” said Kelvin, a native of nearby East Flatbush, NY. “Of
course, I’ve learned a great deal inside the classroom, but through
field work, I’m getting practical, real-world experience that you
can’t get anywhere else.”
Kelvin, whose goal is to teach 4th grade, has visited several local
schools through the University and looks forward to the student
teaching assignments that are an integral part of the The School of
Education curriculum.
Having in-class experience is a must for future educators, a fact
that is not lost on Kelvin. “The education program here really is
superb. St. John’s graduates have great success in finding jobs,”
he said. The 19- year-old added, “The school’s reputation in that
area is outstanding.”
While Kelvin has blossomed out in the field, he has also excelled
inside of the classroom. He is a member of the
Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education.
“Being a member of the honor society has been a great opportunity
to network with my student peers, as well as with those who are
already working in the system,” said Kelvin. “It’s really helped me
to become a better leader and helped me build skills that I can use
in my classroom someday.”
Kelvin also serves as historian in his chapter of Kappa Delta Pi,
having been nominated to the position in his first year of
membership by Dr.
Charisse E. Willis, Associate Dean in The School of
Education.
Like his fellow students, Kelvin has found The School of Education
to be a particularly tight knit group. “The School of Education has
a real family atmosphere: Dean Willis is like a second mother to
me,” he said with a smile. “She not only looks out for me in terms
of my education, she looks out for me as a person, too.”
Kelvin also gives high praise to Professor Steven Ross
for his ability to relate his course curriculum to the current
state of the American education system. “Each day, Professor Ross
would bring in news clippings about issues affecting the world of
education and different techniques to use in the classroom,” said
Kelvin. “It was a great way to connect my work in the field to my
work in the classroom.”
With the first half of his undergraduate work complete, Kelvin is
pleased with his experience at St. John’s. “I wouldn’t trade it for
anything in the world,” he said. “When I first got here, I felt
lost, but between the activities on campus and the events off
campus, I’ve really changed as a person. I’ve been able to build
not only my social skills, but my leadership abilities,
too.”
Looking ahead, he feels confident that St. John’s is preparing him
well for the future. “My professors have given me the tools and
knowledge I’ll need when I have my own classroom someday,” he said.
“Thanks to St. John’s, someday I’ll be able make a difference in
someone’s life, the way my professors have made a difference in
mine.”