Submitted article
Twenty years ago, Ashton (Adams) Boyd was enjoying the spoils of childhood; building snowmen in the winter, swimming and learning to read and write. During that same time, Bucyrus kindergarten teacher Amy Hawkins was focused on teaching young Ashton the basic skills needed to be a successful and could have never foreseen the student/teacher relationship blossoming into a professional mentorship. But that is exactly what has transpired this spring at Bucyrus Elementary School.
A 2007 Bucyrus graduate, Ashton received her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from The Ohio State University in 2012. Before she could begin her career as a teacher, she needed to fulfill the student teaching requirements necessary for licensure in Ohio. And to do that, she came back home.
“When I graduated from Ohio State in 2012, the licensure process was not included,” Boyd said. “I am attending Notre Dame College online and will be completing my last student teaching in the fall.”
Before she could start her student teaching assignment, Boyd needed to contact a teacher and receive approval. Hawkins was more than happy to have her in the classroom.
“I was so excited when Ashton asked to be in my class,” Hawkins said. “In my mind, this showed that Ashton must have had a great educational experience through the Bucyrus City Schools and is comfortable enough to ask to come to my room.”
Boyd chose Bucyrus as her student teaching site because she has been a substitute teacher in the district the past year. Plus, it is home for her.
“I chose to do my student teaching in Bucyrus City Schools because I graduated from Bucyrus and already knew some of the teachers and faculty members,” Boyd said. “I really enjoy working with kindergarteners and Amy was one of my favorites teachers. She was a great teacher when I had her, and I am so glad to be back in her classroom observing for my own teaching profession.”
Student teaching is important for up and coming educators because it gives them an opportunity to learn from experienced mentors. The opportunity for an experienced educator to be a mentor is one that Hawkins enjoys and is happy to have.
“I want to show new educators how important they are in the students’ lives,” Hawkins said. “Ashton was the perfect student. She was quiet and smart and so well behaved. I always told her Mom that she was a teacher’s dream student! Now, she has returned to hone her professional skills, and I feel privileged that she chose my classroom and Bucyrus City Schools. We need more teachers like Ashton!”