NEWSLEADERS — It’s 9 a.m. Reading time is over and now it’s time for prefixes. The second-graders dig in, led by Katie Strand.
She quizzes the engaged children about re-, pre- and un- as casually as if they were chatting about their favorite movie character or snack food.
Strand is student-teaching this year with Justin Foss at Pine Meadow Elementary School and the grammar lesson is just part of her day with 22 7- and 8-year-olds.
Strand, 28, plans to graduate next spring with a degree in elementary education from St. Cloud State University. After earning her license and certification, she wants to be an elementary school teacher.
But that’s months off. Now, she says, “I just soak it in and enjoy being a student-teacher. I’m learning and getting to know the children I’m with right now.”
