Biography
Katie Amidon is a former early childhood educator. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education at the University of Mississippi. She is also a Teaching Assistant for the Department of Teacher Education. Her research interests include early childhood policy and early childhood educator wellbeing and support.
Curious about TeachLive?
Here's what Katie has to say!
Question 1: What do you like most about TeachLive?
TeachLive is a unique way to interact with students. I enjoy seeing the students' creativity show through their lesson plans. I like that it gives students an opportunity to see themselves in action and reflect on their teaching before entering a real classroom.
Question 2: What advice do you have for students when preparing for the TeachLive experience?
Read over your lesson plan from the perspective of the students in your classroom. Anticipate how the students might react throughout the lesson, not just how you would like for them to respond. Make sure that you know what the avatars can and cannot do, so that your lesson will run as smoothly as possible.
Question 3: How do you think TeachLive helps prepare teacher candidates?
I think TeachLive provides an opportunity for teacher candidates to see, hear, and reflect on their teaching in a low-stakes environment. Not only do they get practice teaching a lesson, but they also have to react to student behaviors as they arise. Through TeachLive, teacher candidates get a glimpse into classroom dynamics that may affect the flow of their planned lesson.
Education
B.B.A. Marketing, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2001)
M.Ed. Early Childhood, The University of Mississippi (2021)