Written by SHS News and Digital Media staff
Students learn best when their teacher is excited and passionate about the subject they are teaching. Owen Wykoff hopes to be just that kind of teacher.
This semester he is doing his student teaching with Michelle Medlock in the history department. A graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School, Wykoff said he is enjoying the smaller school atmosphere and is excited to get to know the students this semester. He wants to create a fun learning environment that encourages his students to love the subject.
Wykoff retired from the Army and was substitute teaching when he realized that the military and teaching really aren’t too different. He had the experience and he had the desire to help kids. The kids he works with make him sure of his future as a teacher.
“They keep you on your toes,” he said. “I knew I wasn't going to be one of those people who could do the same thing daily.”
Similar to the military, teaching is about adaptability. This realization led him to do a transition teaching program through Purdue University. He is now putting his class lessons to the test.
He said he lucked out in getting his placement at Salem, hearing that many of his classmates have long commutes to their school. He lives about 15 minutes away in the Campbellsburg area with his wife and kids. His three children attend West Washington Schools.
Wykoff said he is thrilled to be working with Medlock and learning from her, adding that she is a great teacher and he is looking forward to learning more from her this semester.
While every teacher is nervous about something, Wykoff said he is most nervous about not knowing everything about history, but is hoping he can learn from the kids, too.
He said he doesn’t care where he ends up teaching in the future and knows God will put him where he needs to be.
(Photo by Adalee Hobson)