Togetherness and community are two words new student teacher Emma Mott used to describe Yutan.

Mott is studying English education at Wayne State College.  She was homeschooled for her primary education, and she focused on reading and writing.  Mott was also the photography manager for a basketball program in Omaha.  She currently lives in Omaha while student teaching.

Mott chose English education when she applied for Wayne State.

“I chose this field because I am a firm believer in the power of words to help students achieve their goals not only in education, but in life as well,” Mott said.

Mott shadowed the English department a few years ago because she was looking for a smaller school experience to observe and learn from.

“I shadowed Alyssa (Mrs. Hansen) and Ginger (Mrs. Eikmeier) and fell in love with the community they both represented and cultivated in their own unique way,” Mott said.

She applied to student teach at Yutan when the opportunity arose.

Mott started student teaching at Yutan in January.

Mott’s first impression of Yutan was that it has an “intimate group of well-grounded teachers” whose goals are student-focused teaching and open communication.

“Community would probably be the word I would use to describe what Yutan does well,” Mott said.  “Each teacher strives to connect with each of their students to the best of their abilities.”

Mott says students strive to do their best and work hard toward their goals. The students have a positive attitude towards learning, growing and challenging themselves.

“There is a togetherness that is unique to Yutan,” Mott said.  “Each student seems to desire to build up their fellow students to become the best version of themselves.”

Mott hopes to learn the balance between professionalism and connecting with students, organization and flexibility and kindness in classroom management.

“All of these areas take time to master, but I think I have a wonderful platform from which I can build off of thanks to the teaching staff at Yutan,” Mott said.

Mott has had a positive experience at Yutan.

“During the first week of student teaching here, there were many unknowns, but as the school year went on, my understanding and confidence had only grown,” Mott said.