Victoria Jones, from Russellville, is a teacher intern at Mississippi University for Women.

The teacher internship (formerly referred to as student teaching) is the major phase of a developing cumulative series of academic and professional courses and laboratory experiences designed to prepare the prospective teacher for full teaching responsibilities with competence and confidence.

The professional experiences of the teacher intern at The W begin during the sophomore year with application for admission to teacher education. A process of screening and assessment is initiated which continues through application and acceptance into teacher internship. Finally, in post-teaching seminars, teacher interns are given an opportunity to reflect upon and relate their experiences to the total program of teacher education.

At the cooperating school districts, each teacher intern observes, assists and gradually assumes the professional activities of a cooperating mentor teacher.

The W has been dedicated to training teachers since it was founded in 1884 as America’s first public college for women. Despite the university’s expanded mission and curriculum today, education remains one of its most popular and respected fields of study.