WSU Currents •
Winter 2012
19
W
hen asked about his
job, it’s difficult for
Tim
Coleman ’11
to contain
his enthusiasm. A well-
known teacher in the halls of Gage
Elementary School in Rochester,
Minnesota, Coleman holds a master’s
in education and a big place in his
heart for students.
“
This is where it’s at!” exclaims
Coleman. “While the students
are here, we make the eight
hours count.”
A Rochester native, Coleman grew
up playing and coaching basketball
and baseball but never considered
teaching as a profession. While
studying at Rochester Community
and Technical College, he learned
about the 2+2 Program, which allows
students who have completed two
years of technical college to pursue a
bachelor’s degree from Winona State
University.
Drawing on the positive experiences
he had as a coach, Coleman decided
to major in education. He applied for
the program and, once accepted,
focused his efforts on learning how to
teach in an elementary school setting.
Opportunity Knocks
During his senior year, Coleman did an
extensive field placement at Riverside
Elementary and Friedell Middle
School, experiences that solidified his
career choice as a teacher. “I built a
lot of strong relationships with the staff
and the students,” says Coleman. “It
was clear I was on the right path.”
To further build on his knowledge
and skills, Coleman applied for the
Graduate Induction Program, an
intensive program of coursework
and field components designed for
licensed educators to earn a master’s
degree in education within a year.
“
The Graduate Induction Program was
a great opportunity and really opened
the door for me,” says Coleman. “All I
had to do was walk through it.”
The Graduate Induction Program
combines full-time placement in a
school setting, mentoring by a clinical
supervisor, and weekly seminar
courses to position the participant for
a MS degree. Participants are paid a
small stipend and tuition is waived for
32
graduate credits.
In Coleman’s case, Kris Guy served
as a constant source of support by
answering his questions, offering
advice on lesson plans, and providing
positive feedback on his daily
classroom activities. In addition,
seminars led by Nancy Eckerson and
Maggie Hoody, education professors
at WSU-Rochester, helped Coleman
understand important techniques,
such as teaching to diverse learners
and creating culturally relevant
lessons.
Each of the twelve participants who
entered the program with Coleman
was hired for full-time teaching
positions. “It’s kind of like a job
interview that lasts an entire year,”
explains Coleman.
“
The chances of getting hired full-time
after the program are overwhelmingly
in your favor. The school knows
exactly who you are, and you know
exactly what you’re getting into.”
Success Answers
Today, Coleman feels fully prepared to
teach the diverse student population
at Gage Elementary. He enjoys getting
to know individual students and their
families, and finds that each one has a
unique background and set of abilities
that they bring to the classroom.
For Coleman, it is especially rewarding
to build on these relationships and
make a positive, long-lasting impact
on the lives of his students. “The job
isn’t 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” says Coleman.
“
We’re here for the students, to
provide them with a safe and
welcoming environment that’s jam-
packed with learning. My goal every
day is to provide first-class education
so these kids can be successful
in life.”
Occasionally, Coleman returns to
Winona State and its Rochester
campus to encourage undergraduates
to explore teaching as a career. “I like
to tell students that I was sitting in their
spot one or two years ago,” he says
with a chuckle.
“
It’s true, the program pushes you,
but the end result is there if you work
hard. I’m a direct example of that.
Look where I am now!”
Coleman is quick to acknowledge the
support of instructors, supervisors,
family, and friends who helped him
achieve his goal. “The door was
opened by Winona State University,
and I was able to walk through it with
the support and guidance of a great
group of people.”
Coleman says that longtime educator and WSU
Distinguished Alumnus
Barney Fox ’54
influenced
his decision to teach.