An Interview with Nathan VanDuinen: a Recent Graduate from Grand Valley State University looking for his First Teaching Position in Michigan.
Announcer: Welcome to Inside Michigan Education. A weekly show featuring interviews with community leaders, school administrators, school business officials and individuals who are passionate about the future of Michigan Education. And now, here is your host for Inside Michigan Education, Rob Huisingh.
Rob Huisingh: Welcome to Inside Michigan Education, this week we are joined in the Foxbright Podcast Studio by Mr. Nathan VanDuinen. Nathan is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. By way of full disclosure I have to say that Nathan was a student-teacher in my son's classroom this past year, and that's part of the reason why I have him on the show, because I've been following his efforts to obtain a teaching position here in Michigan. Welcome Nathan, it's a pleasure to have you on the show.
Nathan VanDuinen: Thanks for having me Rob.
Rob Huisingh: Nathan, tell me about your background, you went to Grand Valley?
Nathan VanDuinen: I did and there I majored in Group Social Studies and got my certification in Secondary Education. I had some really tremendous classes and professors both in my major area and as part of the College of Education at Grand Valley. I think the training I had through Grand Valley's College of Education really prepared me very well for a career in the educational field. I had the opportunity to take part in a full year of practical experience in two settings that had really very high behavioral and academic expectations for their students.
The first semester of that experience took place at White Pines Middle School, part of Grand Haven Area Public Schools. I had a great experience there teaching seventh grade Social Studies. Initially, I kind of expected that my ideal teaching position would be in high school, but I found the seventh graders had such a tremendous enthusiasm and energy and just the potential that's there, it's so exciting to work with that age group.
In my second semester field work took place in North Muskegon Public Schools. There I had the opportunity to teach World History, Economics and seventh grade Social Studies. In teaching those three classes I had an opportunity to take advantage of North Muskegon's great technological resources. I think one of my greatest strengths as a developing educator is incorporating educational technology into my instruction, and the resources at North Muskegon really allowed me to enhance my instruction in that way.
Rob Huisingh: If you could, to use the analogy, look up on a blackboard and you could script out, what is that perfect teaching position for you, what does it look like?
Nathan VanDuinen: When I think about my ideal teaching position it goes back to when I really started thinking I wanted to pursue a career in education, and it kind of revolves around my own K-12 experience and during my middle years of school at the Orchard View Public Schools in the Muskegon. I realized it would be exciting to give back the tremendous experience I had as a student to others as a teacher. I chose Social Studies as my Major when pursuing the career in Education because the Social Studies content really allows me to prepare students to be effective citizens.
Rob Huisingh: When we look at what's going on in Michigan today, I can imagine that the prospects for teachers alone in Michigan are difficult; the prospects for new teachers must be quite onerous.
Nathan VanDuinen: It's tremendously difficult to come by a teaching position, especially a Social Studies teaching position in Michigan as of now, and Colleges of Education are producing far more teachers than there are positions to be filled. Right now, the challenge really comes with even just getting an interview and marketing yourself to a school, now you really have to have a connection to any school district to rise above the other hundreds of applicants and get yourself out there.
Rob Huisingh: I have to ask the question, have you considered leaving Michigan perhaps to take a job in another state?
Nathan VanDuinen: I think that leaving Michigan will probably become a reality for me just because the other few people that I know that have had interviews in the Social Studies area have faced candidates with teaching experience who are generally hired over them. Right now I'm facing the challenge of trying to decide whether I'm going to stick around to get that experience in Michigan, or leave the state for several years and with the hope of eventually returning with some teaching experience to make myself more competitive.
Rob Huisingh: You are involved in coaching cross country this year, what are you going to do there?
Nathan VanDuinen: I'm helping coach cross country in North Muskegon; I am really excited to have the chance to do that, to remain involved with students and the school community at North Muskegon. I think it's really a chance to build some great relationships with other schools in the area as well.
Rob Huisingh: You're one of the few cross country coaches that actually run with the boys.
Nathan VanDuinen: Yeah, I like to be active. I'm sure as I continue to age maybe that will become more and more challenging.
Rob Huisingh: Yeah, I know all about that. So Nathan, what are your plans for the next year, what's going on?
Nathan VanDuinen: I will spend the next year coaching and substitute teaching in the West Michigan area. I think substitute teaching provides a fairly good way of marketing oneself to some school districts in the area, just getting your face out there. My hope is that by being in area schools consistently that when they do have a position that opens up they will be aware that there are highly qualified candidates out there.
Rob Huisingh: Nathan, I want to thank you for taking the time to be with us today. I wish you success in your efforts to find a full-time teaching position here in Michigan. I know that just from my son's personal experience with you, you are a dynamite teacher and I would love to have you stay in the local area, but I know that you will land on your feet here fairly soon. I just hope you will keep in touch with us, and let us know what's going on.
Nathan VanDuinen: Thanks a lot for having me.
Rob Huisingh: If you would like to contact Nathan, he can be reached by telephone at (231) 773-9477. Until next week, this is Rob Huisingh with Inside Michigan Education.
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