PCSS Seeing Fewer Student Teachers With Fewer Going Into Education

Putnam County School System is seeing fewer student teachers come through the program than previously.

Middle School Instructional Supervisor Dr. Sharon Griggs said that she attributes that to fewer people going into the education field. She said that those who do go into Putnam Schools typically come from Tennessee Tech.

“We have some great student teachers coming in from Tennesee Tech,” Griggs said. “And it always gives us the first shot at getting those good teachers and bringing them into our system and working with our students.”

Griggs said that those who do become student teachers with the system typically see a correlation in becoming hired full-time. She said that over the years the nature of student teaching has evolved. She said that it’s become much more detail-oriented.

“They gradually work into actually teaching the lessons, helping plan, working with students, and then they phase out,” Griggs said. “Usually they spend half of their time at one school and half of their time at another school. Usually in different grades then depending on what their endorsements are, just so they can get experience in different areas.”