Many students believe that the educators they’ve had or will have throughout their lives won’t have a long-lasting effect on them, but what if that isn’t true? Solomon Ortiz, a former United States politician once said, “Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students.” So what about student teachers? Can they have that same lasting impact on students’ lives too? There are no great quotes about the effect of student teachers on pupils, but does that mean they don’t make any change at all? 

     The school has an abnormally large number of practicum students and student teachers this year, and multiple with just one teacher. Some argue that they can distract or hinder a student’s learning. Gracie Erickson, student-teacher of Erik Trilk, English teacher, has been with him since the start of the school year. Trilk said, “Gracie’s here 14 weeks, but is only required to be at the high school level.”  Student teachers typically stay for a term or two depending on school and state requirements. After having a student teacher for so long, one would think they would have some kind of effect, right? Whether this is true or not is up to the students, as some will have more impact than others. Is it because students know that they will never see them again, so they don’t even try to make an effort to build some sort of connection? At the time of the interview, Molly Wecker, senior, said, “I have not gotten to know Gracie because she hasn’t introduced herself [yet], so we know her, but I will get to know her when she teaches in front of the class.” With an actual teacher, students are more prone to have a relationship with them since they know that they will have them over their next four years of high school, which makes it so much easier for educators to have an impact on kids other than student teachers who leave after a few months. 

     Wecker believed that having a student teacher constantly in her classroom didn’t affect her learning but could affect some more than others. Trilk believed that Erickson could make analogies or metaphors that make more sense for students since she is learning too. Trilk also said, “I think it makes it a little bit easier and more comfortable for many students to talk to a younger person. I think that makes a huge difference.” Trilk also explained more about how since student teachers are younger and still in college, it allows them to connect and get along better with the kids since they can understand each other in a better sense. Wecker also agreed and said,

     There still might not be any great quotes on how student teachers have such a huge role in students’ lives, because the truth is they don’t. But they still have some part in one’s life whether that’s answering a question or just listening to them when they are confused, which they will continue to do someday as a licensed teacher in their own classroom. A person who acts as themselves without concealing their true character can make the biggest impact on students who look up to them as role models, especially educators. It can be the smallest things in life that can have the most lasting impact on us.