2016 education graduates placed in international and US jobs

Cornell College education graduates are finding success as they leave behind their title as a college student and become teachers in their own classrooms.

So far this year, 19 of 26 education graduates have become certified to become teachers, and 11 of them received teaching jobs right after graduation. The rest of the graduates are working on their certification.

The high placement rate doesn’t surprise some people, like Cornell’s Director of Teacher Education Cindy Postler, who sees students work hard to achieve this goal.

“Our students are counseled throughout their senior year regarding resume writing and interview preparation,” Postler said. “They are proactive in searching for teaching positions as early as January and February of their senior year. Our students attend education job fairs, search district websites and network with their home districts and their student teaching placement districts.”

These graduates, however, aren’t just taking jobs in Iowa. Many get jobs outside of the United States.

“Our graduates are interested in the global society,” said Cornell College Education Department Chair Kate Kauper. “We have students that have gone on to getting teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Spain, and Kuwait. We have students that are teaching all over the world.”

Kauper believes Cornell’s liberal arts education is the best way to raise future international or U.S. teachers because of the variety of experiences they are exposed to.  She said the One Course At A Time curriculum plays a big role in their success.

“It’s a unique curriculum in that it’s very challenging for students. They don’t have the opportunity to procrastinate but at the same time they learn a lot of skills as a result,” Kauper said. “So, in the fast-paced demanding world of teaching, students are used to that demanding schedule already.”

Cornell provides opportunities for students to start exploring the international teaching scene as they work to complete their degree.

“Thanks to the Cornell Fellowship program, we are able to offer an international student teaching experience each year,” Postler said. “Our students have student taught in Spain, Russia, Ireland, New Zealand, and next year, Australia.”

Postler, who splits her time between the Cornell College campus and assisting with student teaching in nearby school districts, has been keeping up with some of the 2016 graduates to see where they’re going to start off their teaching careers.

Larissa Brewer ’16

International Programs School in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

high school health and P.E. to girls

Kellie Kuzmanic ’16

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

MC School, 5-12 P.E.

Jared Henry ’16

Washington, Iowa

middle school health

Michelle Dougan ’16

Pleasant Valley, Iowa

elementary education

Alison Sojka ’16

Lone Tree, Iowa

high school math

Madison Chicoine ’16

Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Fellowship

Thailand

Hana Martin ’16

Fort Dodge, Iowa

high school Spanish

Mariah Brandly ’16

Spoon River Valley, Illinois

6th grade

9th grade and middle school volleyball coach

Katie Taylor ’16

Torreon, Mexico

elementary education in a bilingual school

Dan Rohovit ’16

Anna, Texas

high school music

Stephanie Wagner ’16

Palatine, Illinois

substitute

Kari Martin ’16

Mount Vernon, Iowa

4th grade