Students pursue teaching

By Jillian Yalung
The Collegian

Fresno State student Steve Berst is beginning his journey towards getting his teaching credential.

After graduating in 2003 with a business degree, Berst decided to return this semester to pursue a career as an educator.

He passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) exam and since returning to Fresno State, Berst has been substitute teaching in the Madera County School District.

“Once I am done with this (program) I should be able to apply all of the content in my subject and be able to teach it thoroughly to my students.”

That is exactly what the professors in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development hope to achieve in all of their teacher candidates.

Fresno State offers single subject teaching credentials in 18 academic departments.

Susan Macy, Coordinator of the Multiple Subject Credential Early Childhood Education Program, has been an educator for 35 years.

With her extending experience in teaching students, she is passing her knowledge and her legacy on to the students at Fresno State.

“Real learning happens when students can apply what they learn in their coursework,” Macy said.

Although the process of getting a credential can be tedious and time consuming, it is all worth it in the end, Macy said.

“I have been teaching for 35 years,” Macy said, explaining the joys of being an educator. “I think that being a teacher is who you are as opposed to what you do.”

Comment on this story in the Features forum >>