Social Studies Education MEd and licensure program student Christian Bjornson builds on inspiring students to become passionate learners and engaged citizens of their communities.

What drove you to enroll in MEd and Teacher Licensure program? 

I’ve known for many years that I wanted to teach in some capacity. I have always loved learning and helping others become passionate learners, too. I also love social studies, particularly history and government, and I think it’s essential we provide high-quality education in these subjects to help students be better citizens of their communities, countries, and world. 

When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher?

I really realized that I wanted to be a teacher in high school. It took me a while after that to figure out exactly what, where, and to whom I wanted to teach.

I hoped that by becoming a teacher, I could make a positive impact in young people’s lives by fostering a lifelong love of learning. As time has gone on, I’ve become equally as excited to learn what my students have to teach me!

Were there any surprises and challenges along the way? 

I had a couple of false starts and tried a few different paths to see if they were right for me. It took me a few years, a handful of jobs, and lots of self reflection to figure out that I definitely wanted to be a secondary social studies teacher.

What has been your experience with the faculty? 

The faculty at the U have been founts of pedagogical knowledge for our cohort. Their experiences as both classroom teachers and educational researchers have made them ideal teacher educators. They have also been incredibly supportive of each of us as we navigate the MEd program’s rigorous curriculum. I’m deeply grateful to have the privilege of studying with them.

How have you felt about the cohort model and experience? 

I love the cohort model! It’s been great to get to know other teacher candidates more in depth than we probably would have if we’d only had one or two classes together. The other members of the cohort are so supportive and have been great resources in their own right. It’s a demanding program, so it’s great to have a support system for others going through the same thing!

Describe your experience with student teaching.

I am currently working in-person at Edina High School. It’s been lots of fun, while also being incredibly educational for me. My cooperating teacher has been a great mentor, giving me space to design my own lessons and make mistakes while also helping me grow from them. The pandemic has brought its challenges to in-person learning. Masks are required in the building at all times (except when eating), and many kids struggle with this expectation. Students are also struggling to readapt to in-person learning following a year and a half of virtual learning. Many of the teachers I work with have expressed the opinion that this year is much different than the years they taught before the pandemic. 

Has the student teaching helped you feel prepared to enter your own classroom? 

Student teaching is definitely helping to prepare me to have my own classroom. The experience has shown me my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher and given me opportunities to practice the skills necessary to be the best educator I can be.

What do you hope to do after graduation?

After graduation, I hope to get a job teaching history at the high-school level. Originally I thought I would like to teach in the Twin Cities, but I’ve given a lot more thought to teaching in a rural district recently. I’d like to help make sure our rural (and urban) students aren’t getting left behind as resources flow to large, suburban communities. 

Did you have scholarship support? If so, what did it mean to you?

I was a recipient of the Betty Roith Seifert Endowed Scholarship Fund scholarship for social studies educators. It has been a real blessing for me, especially as a student who is already carrying student debt from previous postsecondary programs. It will allow me greater flexibility in choosing where I work after graduation and make it easier for me to start a family. I am very grateful to the donors and the university for their support. 

Learn more about MEd and Teaching License programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.