51ĀŅĀ×

In April, senior teacher education interns at 51ĀŅĀ× Zanesville participated in the bi-annual mock interview event designed to prepare them for careers in the classroom. Hosted on campus, the event brought together education students, local school leaders, alumni and career services staff for an evening focused on professional development, confidence building and community collaboration.

The event welcomed several senior Early Childhood and Middle Childhood Education interns, including Rachael Cox, Skylar Higgins, Zoey Shearer, Martha Shipman, Reece Smalley, Grace Swartz, Laken Taylor, Gracie Walker and Riley Albertson. Each intern participated in a simulated interview with experienced educators and administrators from local school districts. Interviewers included Tre Stratton, principal at Buckeye Trail Elementary; Bryan Conlon, principal at Buckeye Trail Middle School; Krystal McFarland, preschool director for the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center and Matthew Destadio, director of Educational Services at Fairfield Union Local Schools.

The evening began with a welcome from Jeanine Kelnhofer, education program assistant at OHIO Zanesville, followed by opening remarks from Hannah Nissen Ph.D., dean of Campus and Community Relations. Students also connected with to learn more about the interview process and resources available to them as they prepare for graduation.

After completing their interviews, interns, interviewers and alumni gathered for a dinner and discussion session, which provided opportunities for networking and informal conversation. Teri Peasley, Ph.D., program coordinator of Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, closed the event with words of encouragement and praise for the studentā€™s professionalism and preparedness.

Interns left the event with more than just interview experience, they gained practical insight into the expectations of real-world education employers, received personalized feedback to help elevate their skills and made valuable connections with like-minded professionals. Many students reported feeling more confident in their abilities and better equipped to the hiring process. 

ā€œThe mock interview really helped calm my nerves about the real thing," Senior Riley Albertson said. "It gave me a chance to talk about why I love teaching and get honest feedback in a supportive setting. I feel way more prepared and confident now going into actual interviews, and Iā€™m excited to start my journey as a teacher!ā€

Zoey Shearer, an Early Childhood and Elementary Education senior, also shared her experience from the annual program.

"The mock interviews were an amazing experience that truly helped me and made me feel more confident within myself. I connected with a principal from an upper elementary grade school, and our conversation was so inspiring and encouraging. I felt an immediate sense of support and a strong connection," Shearer said. "Because of that, Iā€™m excitedly stepping out of my comfort zone to teach a higher grade level than I originally plannedā€”something I never imagined doing before. I honestly donā€™t think I would have felt this confident or energized about the opportunity without meeting him at the mock interviews!"

ā€œOverall, the Teacher Education Mock Interviews event was a huge success and a valuable experience for the senior interns," Jeanine Kelnhofer added. "It provided practical skills and insights for their future careers. Interns practiced interview techniques, received feedback from experienced educators, and gained confidence. The event also offered networking opportunities and highlighted community support for developing future educators.ā€

This event is a strong example of how OHIO Zanesville continues to support its students beyond the classroom, ensuring they are well-prepared to enter the workforce and make a meaningful impact in schools across the region. 

Interested in beginning your journey to become an educator and Bobcat?  Schedule your campus visit today!