Missouri Southern State University - Crossroads Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

Page 11 text:

Thelen proves that Southern comes alive through students I Jill Ranniker and Susan Stephens discuss a point during Melissa Thelen ' s Freshman Orientation class. S outhern comes alive through its students, and one example is Melissa Thelen. Melissa, a junior elementary educa¬ tion major, plans to teach second grade after her graduation from Missouri Southern in May, 1986. The kids are at the age where they are able to do some things on their own, but they still look up to you as a teacher,” she said. Melissa is preparing herself for a career in education by teaching a Freshman Orientation class. Her fall class consisted of 17 students. I was a little scared at first, but I had a real good class,” she said. They were enthusiastic about what 1 was teaching them.” Students were taught the history and various aspects of the campus, and were told how to improve study skills. As for myself, I really learned a lot about the campus,” said Melissa. There were many things that I had been taught in Freshman Orientation that I had forgotten,” she said. Mow, since I was the one who was teaching it, I had to be so familar with it.” Melissa said teaching a class was a lot harder than I thought it would be. There would be times when I had planned an outside field trip and it would rain, so I had to come up with a crash course ' class in just a few minutes. But next year it will be easier.” Elaine Freeman, director of Freshman Orientation, said Melissa exhibited creativity, responsibility, and enthusiasm in planning and teaching her class. It was reflected in the attitude of her students. I heard some of her students say they hated to see the class end. That ' s as good a recommendation as you can have. Southern ' s faculty members are what Melissa likes most about the College. Classes are smaller here,” she said. I think there ' s a better student- teacher relationship here than at other colleges.” Melissa said she particularly en¬ joyed a class taught by Pam Walker Evans, School Health Education.” I think I ' d like to be a teacher like her,” she said. She ' s real enthusiastic about what she ' s doing. She ' s not all tensed up in the class and she seems to enjoy her students.” Melissa works 20 hours per week in the College ' s student services office. Her main duty is to take care of students ' housing contracts. It ' s a fun office to work in,” she said. They always remember everybody ' s birthday. Someone brings a cake, and everyone chips in to get a present.” Thelen □

Page 10 text:

Thelen

Page 12 text:

(Clockwise from upper left) Shaun Purdy, Lori Grisham, Tandee Prigmore, Mike Von Canon, Dean Bright, Jeff Bergen (emcee), Tamera Thomas, and Carla Powers (above) in the second annual Talent Show Oct. 9 at Taylor Auditorium. — Photos by A. John Baker Talent Show □ Talen t