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Dr. Soffer Takes on New Role, Travels to Jamaica
2/11/2008
 Dr. Randy Soffer, lecturer of education, has replaced Dr. Emiliano Gonzalez, associate professor of education, as director of field experiences in the School of Education.
As director, Soffer works with other education professors to identify specific field experiences that undergraduate students need, and locates and secures appropriate classrooms for their placement. In order to conduct the responsibilities of this position, Soffer must work with principals of schools and be familiar with multiple school districts and the needs of each undergraduate student.
“Field experience is designed to provide practical application of the theories students learn in the classroom,” Soffer said. “The experience needs to match a particular course objective.”
Education majors are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of professional field experience prior to the capstone experience of student teaching. Beginning in their junior year, for three semesters students are placed in K-12 classrooms and their professional development is closely monitored.
Soffer is also a First Year Experience adviser for the School of Education and advises graduate students working on initial certification.
In January, Soffer and a group of seven UST students traveled to Jamaica for the first time as part of the University’s Study Abroad program. Throughout the trip, participants lived with Jamaican families in an effort to immerse themselves in the nation’s culture.
The group, which included undergraduate education and international studies majors and MLA students, participated in community service projects in the coastal town of Lucea, where they stayed.
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