De Soto High School senior Madelyn Neeland spent the year completing an education internship at Belmont Elementary. 

Over the last school year, Madelyn has experienced hands-on some of the many responsibilities involved with being a teacher. Through tasks like grading papers, creating and teaching lessons, observing other educators, and assisting students with their assignments, Madelyn took part in both the behind-the-scenes and student-facing experiences that are involved with education. 

One of Madelyn's most memorable teaching moments came from watching students grow confident in their own abilities. Madelyn recalled a moment when a student insisted they couldn’t read a short passage. After gentle encouragement from Madelyn, the student attempted it, and though they misread many of the words, they still managed to answer the comprehension questions correctly. Their pride when finishing the assignment and rushing to show their teacher left a lasting impression on Madelyn that has motivated her whenever the path to becoming a teacher feels daunting.

A core takeaway Madelyn has learned from her internship is the importance of embracing mistakes as part of the teaching process. Because much of teaching involves navigating uncertainty, effective educators adapt as they go. Madelyn learned that making a decision, even an imperfect one, with clarity and conviction is often more productive than deliberating over the right choice.

This fall, Madelyn will begin her degree in education at Emporia State University, where she has earned an academic scholarship. Madelyn is grateful for the internship program and shared that it gave her a tangible opportunity to explore her interest in education. She credits the internship with affirming her commitment to a career in teaching and strengthening the confidence she will bring to her future classroom.

Madelyn's growth and enthusiasm reflect the powerful impact that real‑world learning experiences can have on aspiring educators. Through her internship and the teaching pathway, Madelyn has already stepped into her future with confidence.