Jaime E. Klein, MS Ed.

Director, Clinical Experiences in Education
Department of Education

Education: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, B.S. 1982; University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, MS Ed., 1991

Responsibilities: Coordinate field placement and service learning projects for education majors

When Jaime E. Klein, MS Ed., was in elementary school, she thought it would be “cool” to have her own grade book. She wanted to be an educator since the age of seven or so. But after five years of teaching English and French to high school students, she discovered she was a better teacher outside the classroom.

“I was the teacher who lived at school,” says Klein. “I was very involved in extracurricular activities. I helped with student council, the yearbook committee, the student newspaper. I even worked at a summer camp for student leaders. I enjoyed spending time with students in a less formal setting. Maybe I wasn’t teaching them about the Civil War but I was teaching them to solve the conflicts in their own lives and that was highly satisfying.”

After this revelation, Klein decided to pursue her master of science in education at the University of Wisconsin-Las Crosse. Upon graduation, she became assistant dean for residence life and an academic advisor at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA. She served in that position for two years before joining Illinois College in 1992 as assistant dean of students and director of residence life.

“If there’s one gift I have it’s that I’m very approachable,” Klein says. “I’ve dealt with everything from underage drinking to roommate conflicts and I feel it’s because I’ve made it easy for students to talk to me.”

In 1999, the education department needed a director of clinical experiences and Klein felt it was a perfect fit for her. The position allowed her to blend her degrees and return to her roots as a teacher.

“I felt like somewhat of a traitor when I left the classroom,” says Klein, “Now I’m back in the classroom part time but I’m still able to work with students in real-world settings. I feel I’m where I was meant to be.”

Klein is responsible for placing education majors in local schools for field experience.

“We don’t just throw any student with any teacher,” says Klein. “We spend a great deal of time finding a good fit so that the experience is a win-win for everyone, especially the children in the classroom. When our students are successful, I feel successful.”

Klein also oversees service learning projects for education majors. She places students in such service organizations as Jacksonville food pantries, the YMCA after-school programs and Habitat for Humanities.

“I think it’s very important for future teachers to know that their classrooms will be composed of diverse populations—whether it is ethnically, culturally or financially diverse,” says Klein. “Working with these differences will make our students more aware and better able to teach. They’ll be able to make adjustments when things don’t go as they expect. I’m a firm believer that our students need to know the community in which they are teaching if they hope to be effective.”

   

 

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