‘Expert panelists’ tell prospective teachers their ideal classroom experience

Responsibility. Kindness. Fairness. Fondness. Awesomeness.

These were the traits five elementary school students said their ideal teacher must possess at Monday night’s “Viewpoint: A Kid’s Perspective” forum in the Education and Human Services Building’s French Auditorium.

Fourth-grader Bekka Christie thinks before answering a question Monday night in the French Auditorium at the EDU building during "Viewpoint: A Kid's Perspective." A panel of "expert" second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders offered their ideas on what it takes to be a good teacher to CMU students in the teaching program. (Matthew Stephens/Senior Photographer)

The crew of “expert panelists,” as organizer Renee Papelian called it, came to talk about their ideal classroom experience. The group answered questions from a full hall of more than 200 students pursuing degrees in education.

“These kids know what they’re talking about because they experience great teachers each day,” said Papelian, the director of ProfEd at Central Michigan University.

The five children were in the second to sixth grade. The second to fourth graders came from Pullen Elementary School, 251 S. Brown St., and the fifth and sixth graders from McGuire Elementary School, 4883 E. Crosslanes St.

The panelists fidgeted in their seats and the younger ones had to stretch up to speak into the microphone, but they answered each question thoughtfully and impressed audience members such as Alahna Vondette.

“I was surprised by their reaction to the questions,” said Vondette, a Hemlock senior who wants to become a middle school teacher. “They were more mature than I thought they would be.”

The children described what a good teacher should be like and then responded to questions about topics such as classroom decoration, best forms of discipline and use of technology.

“Be strict when you need to but, otherwise, just be fun and nice,” said third grader Lauren MacDonald.

The audience was in nearly unanimous uproar when the three oldest students raised their hands to say they had cell phones.

A panel of "expert" second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders offered their ideas on what it takes to be a good teacher to CMU students in the teaching program Monday night in the French Auditorium. (Matthew Stephens/Senior Photographer)

Misheka Vasquez-Floyd frequently text messages many of his friends.

“A bunch of people. Mostly girls,” the sixth grader said to a burst of applause.

Lake Orion senior Dave Kase was surprised to hear the kids wanted structure and teachers that set and enforce rules.

Though Vasquez-Floyd and fourth grader Bekka Christie had a mostly positive impression of homework, MacDonald had already had her fill of it.

“I have it like every day, seriously,” she said.