Ashland University Teacher Education Program Provides Students 'Southern' Exposure

    ASHLAND, OH, January 28, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ohio teacher education students at Ashland University can now experience a little more sunshine and warmer weather through hands-on classroom experiences in such places as South Carolina and Florida.

The new Southern Internship Exchange Program gives Ashland University teacher education students the option of conducting their student teaching semester at two locations in South Carolina or two locations in Florida. The students live with host families in these school districts, which reduces the cost of the program.

"An Ohio teaching degree, paired with the exchange program, can open students to job opportunities in high-growth areas," says Joe Hendershott, director of field experiences and internships at Ashland University. "Growth in these southern states, paired with what amounts to a seven-week job interview, gives a student with an Ashland University education degree real mobility and a career advantage."

Hendershott adds that the teacher education exchange program enriches a student's global awareness and perspectives through diversity.

Even in a tight job market, Hendershott encourages prospective students to consider the University's nationally recognized teacher education program because "there are always jobs for excellent teachers."

Hendershott said the Southern Internship Exchange Program has been very popular among students in Ashland's undergraduate teacher education program, which is the largest academic program on campus and has been NCATE accredited since 1973.

"We are already looking at expanding the program to include a number of areas in the western United States," Hendershott said. "We had 75 student teachers doing their student teaching for spring semester and we made calls to them to make sure they were aware of these new opportunities," he said.

For more information about the program, contact Joe Hendershott at 419-289- 5254 or email him at [email protected].

Ashland University's Dwight Schar College of Education (http://www.ashland.edu/colleges/college-education) is recognized as a leader in teacher education in Ohio and throughout the Midwest. Ashland's teacher education program offers pre-K through doctorate level courses and all of Ashland's education programs - undergraduate, master of education, doctor of education and professional development services - are recognized on a state and national basis.

About Ashland University

Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) is a mid-sized, private institution conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.

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