OU-C faculty member Jamie Harmount shares insights with students

Ohio University-Chillicothe education faculty member Jamie Harmount is a member of a statewide committee that is helping to set a framework to help prepare young teachers for successful careers in Ohio’s elementary, middle and high schools. The Resident Educator Program Development Committee is charged with developing recommendations for a mentorship program in which established teachers will serve as lead educators to mentor those entering the profession. The effort is part of Ohio House Bill 1, signed in July, which mandates a new licensure system for Ohio’s teachers, including the implementation of a Resident Educator License. New teachers will be required to complete this four-year residency program to qualify for a professional educator license. The program is scheduled to be implemented by January 2011. The broad-based committee, which met for the first time in late October, consists of approximately 40 educators who represent all geographical regions of the state and various segments of the profession, such as teachers and administrators of all educational levels. “This structure is similar to the medical profession’s residency program and is designed to give young teachers the support they need to become successful educators,” Harmount said. “Schools make a strong investment in their teachers’ professional development, and it is important that they retain these teachers. Plus, this helps to ensure that the profession maintains high standards so that students receive a high quality educational experience.” The insights that Harmount gains from this experience are important in sharing with OU-C students and preparing them to become teachers. “It is helpful knowing that faculty members have been in the classroom and have relevant experience. Learning from them makes us better,” said Katie Penwell, an OU-C education student from Washington Court House. Abby Roe, an OU-C education student from Greenfield McClain High School, said, “With Jamie being on the committee, we know what issues are important on the statewide level and we are better prepared for our careers. Along with the theory we learn, it makes for a well-rounded educational experience.” Andrea Haddox, an education student from Westfall High School, said, “It is important to have faculty members who bring real-life viewpoints to the classroom. We need to learn from their experiences since we will soon be in situations where we will have to apply what we have learned. “Jamie has had experience and brings real-life examples to the classroom,” said education student Chasity Setty of Waverly. Harmount said, “This is very applicable for someone involved in higher education. I can bring back to the classrooms on campus and share with OU-C students what is being discussed on a statewide level in terms of professional expectations, particularly in terms of how they will be assessed and what the standards are. It is important to remain current with the profession and current developments. This type of experience makes me a better teacher and better able to prepare OU-C’s students to succeed in their profession.” In terms of practical application, the key to being a good educator often involves an approach that is more straight-forward than glamorous. “Sometimes, the lesson is that being a teacher requires hard work, perseverance and sacrifice,” Harmount said. “They are involved in a profession that has high standards.” The committee will meet again Dec. 1-2 in Columbus. Harmount was recommended for the committee by Sandy Miller the director of Early Learning and School Readiness at the Ohio Department of Education. This is not the first statewide educational experience for Harmount. She was a member of the Ready School Resource Guide Leadership Committee, which published “Strong Beginnings, Smooth Transitions, Continuous Learning: A Ready School Resource Guide for Elementary School Leadership.” The guide was the result of a two-year project and was the product of a Ready Schools partnership between SPARK Ohio, the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators and the Ohio Department of Education's Office of Early Learning and School Readiness. She was also on the Ohio Department of Education’s Early Learning Content Standards Team for Math.