FSU’s Federal Student Education Association’s February Meeting

By Katie Newlin

Engl. 336.002

The Frostburg Student Education Association (FSEA) met last Wednesday night in the Compton Science Center. The organization is filled with the perspiring educators of Frostburg State University. The club meets twice a month in the same location in the Compton Science center. The group is lead by a hierarchy of students, which include, President Jenny Davis, Vice President Jenn Cosner, Secretary Tajah Gloster, and Historian Danielle Hall. The club sponsor is Frostburg’s own Dr. Ornstein who is a professor in the Department of Educational Professions. The club is dedicated to being a helping hand in the community and they take active part in doing so. They are involved with many charitable functions and organizations that include Relay for Life, Storybook Holiday, Big Brother Big Sister, and a function that is soon approaching on March 3^rd , Read Across America.

            Read Across America is a national celebration of Dr. Suess’s birthday. The event is run by the National Education Association (NEA) and has become an award winning literacy program. The NEA developed this program in order to show how important a reading motivation is to children and teens. The event takes place in libraries all across the country. FSEA has joined Alleghany County’s children librarian Jodi Reed in this event. Jodi Reed has been the chair person and children’s librarian for Alleghany County for the past four years. Reed has inspired past FSU students to become figureheads for the event and is proud of the work that the students and volunteers put into the event each year she was quoted, “The event is a good one year after year and the families look forward to it.” The FSEA members are split into teams of three or four and placed into the local libraries. The members are to have a children’s book prepared to read to small groups at a time. During the day the children will be visited by the Cat in the Hat himself, which is another responsibility of the FSEA members.   To join in on the event or to become a volunteer just visit the local libraries on March 3^rd or go to http://www.seussville.com/Educators/educatorReadAcrossAmerica.php to learn more.

            The FSEA meetings not only consist of discussing their upcoming events but Dr. Ornstein sees to it that the students are exposed to as many experiences to help them become successful educators as possible. At this week’s meeting she invited three graduates of FSU to come and speak. The speakers are new to the teaching profession and were asked to share some stories about how they have adjusted after graduation. The first speaker was Sara Cosner, she is a first year math teacher at Friendsville Elementary. Sara Cosner spoke about the interview process for teachers and explained how it differs from other interviews. She told the aspiring educators, “To be a successful teacher you need to think quickly on your feet.” The second speaker was another math teacher named Megan Knepp. Mrs. Knepp spoke about how she developed three keys to success for early teachers. Her plan involved 1) differentiation which she stated as being essential to every teachers  classroom 2) flexibility which correlates to the first speakers thoughts and 3) motivation which she said, “is the most important thing to a student’s success.” She ended her thoughts with a word to the wise, “a teachers success is not attained without a student’s success.” The final speaker was Steve Knepp and he showed the club members different examples of ways to implement his wives, Megan Knepp, three keys to success. Again, the club meets twice a month and will gladly accept any help towards their organizations philanthropies.