Nikolos Croinex
Year Graduated: 
2019
Education Specialist
Hydesville Elementary

Job description

I am a resource teacher at Hydesville Elementary. I serve students in K-8th grade. I work hard to help my students feel comfortable and supported at school.

Why did you choose this program?

I served in the school system after graduating HSU as an Economics major. I worked as a custodian, crossing guard, yard monitor, and teacher’s aide since my graduation in 2014. The program was recommended by two of my friends who were having a wonderful time in the program. This program was taking the next step in my progress through the school system.

How did this program prepare you for your job?

This program gave me the platform to learn (beg, borrow, and steal) from many amazing teachers in Humboldt County. The in-class experiences, scenarios, and decisions are a small sample of what it is like to have a classroom of your own. Take the time to ask a mentor all of your crazy ideas of “what ifs”, they will do their best to answer from their experience. The most important thing to remember is that you won’t be prepared until something happens, then you respond to it, reflect afterward, and adjust. Teachers learn just as much as their students. It is ok to feel unprepared, care for your students, and work hard to see them succeed.

What did you enjoy most about the program?

The cohort I had in 2018-2019 was absolutely positive and encouraging. Everyone was there to be the best teacher they could. Our program teachers had amazing personalities that reflected their areas of emphasis. There was so much trust in the credentialing teachers from mentors and staff that it made me feel as though I was supported through the good ideas and the learning experiences.

What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?

Get prepared by becoming a teacher’s aide. Being an instructional aide in the classroom can do more for your preparedness to be a teacher than anything else I can imagine. You can learn, be focused on the students, and soak up the culture of a school. Understanding the nuances of a classroom before becoming the leader of one helped me more than anything else.

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