As humans, we learn best through experience. Student teaching is a chance for future teachers to get valuable experience in the classroom. Juniata College senior Rayne Young is currently doing her student teaching at Tyrone High School with math teacher Michele Marasco as her mentor.

Young, who is also an Altoona High School graduate, majored in both math and French education at Juniata. After she completes her student teaching, she will be certified to teach both secondary math and French.

Young’s journey into the field of education began by volunteering her time to help others understand her two favorite subjects. Before she became an education major, Young got experience tutoring students in French at Juniata and middle school students in math.

“From there I realized I liked working with people and I wanted to help people understand something,” said Young.

Today she is doing just that: helping students and making a big impact on their lives.

“Miss Young is very good at explaining the math lessons, and she always makes sure [that] you know what you are doing,” said junior Cate Baran.

Many students at Tyrone High School have similar feelings about her and are really enjoying having Young in their math class.

“She is very nice and always takes time to answer everyone’s questions,” said sophomore Karly Diebold.

“[My favorite part about teaching is] Interacting with students and other teachers,” said Young.

One thing that her students have noticed is that Young comes to every day with a positive attitude and a smile on her face.  

“Miss Young has been doing a fantastic job teaching and helping the students. I have really enjoyed having her be part of my classroom,” said Marasco.

After Young finishes her college experience, she hopes to get a job in the education.

“My options are open. [Although] I want to stay in Pennsylvania for sure,” said Young.

Working with high school students reminds Young of her high school career at Altoona Area High School. While in high school was involved in many clubs and activities. She participated in Student Council, Band, Chorus, National Honors Society, and Circle of Friends.

One of the groups Young was in, Circle of Friends, is a student group that helps students with a disability or personal crisis. This program started as an idea from a book but was later turned into a group that high school students could join.

From her own high school experience and her experience working with high schoolers, Young would like all her students to remember to “work hard and be responsible, but enjoy being young. Take school seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.”