This spring, 17 students from College of Western Idaho (CWI) are learning first-hand what it takes to be a teacher thanks to invaluable partnerships with local elementary and middle schools. The students are enrolled in IDoTeach [2] classes at CWI, which are designed to encourage Math and Science majors to consider teaching. Thanks to opportunities at Hunter Elementary School, Peregrine Elementary School, Chaparral Elementary School, Meridian Middle School, and Falcon Ridge Charter School these students are gaining vital exposure to the profession which will hopefully help them decide whether or not to pursue a career in education.

Students in IDoTeach classes, Education 101 and 102, are required to design and teach three lessons this semester. The student teaching partnerships provide an opportunity to conduct their lessons, as well as observe teachers in a real classroom setting. All but one of the students is conducting their lesson and observation in a group, giving students a support system to help navigate a process that can be very intimidating.

The CWI Education Department would like to thank all of the schools that are helping provide this valuable learning opportunity for IDoTeach students, as well as the teachers who volunteer as mentors.