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Class Act/Pre-Education

Overview

About This Program

The Class Act program at Minnesota North - Itasca is a specialized teacher preparation program that's one of a kind in northern Minnesota. The coursework, the learning environment, the adventures, and the curriculum are specifically designed for educators. Students experience hands-on, real-life experiential learning at its best in classroom labs and via a specially designed curriculum for education majors. You'll become an educator in a totally new way that prepares you to teach in the 21st Century.

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At-a-Glance

Degrees & Credits

A.S. Degree (60 credits)

Campus
Itasca

Program Video

Program Features

PAID classroom field experiences

Class Act students are paired with local master teachers to complete 100 total hours of paid classroom field experience. Yes, PAID! Classroom experientials are available in preschool, elementary, middle and secondary settings. This includes observation and working with students to ensure that teaching is the right path for you.

"Tweaked" curriculum

Class Act students take the same courses other students at Itasca take, but courses taken as a Class Act cohort are “tweaked” toward education. Class Act students receive an Associate of Science degree, which transfers to a four-year college or university.

Educational adventures

Class Act students are offered the chance to participate in adventures to educational sites, such as charter schools, elementary, middle and high schools, and to four-year colleges and universities.

College visits

Class Act students will take day trips to St. Scholastica and Bemidji State University in the Fall of their sophomore year.

GPA requirement

Class Act students are required to maintain a 2.5 GPA across ALL of their classes. Failure to do so will result in an academic warning. If grades do not improve, you will be dropped from the program.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of this program, students will be trained and ready for a career in a field experiencing critical shortages and high income potential.
NOTE: Students enrolling in the Early Childhood Education AS degree program must be willing to obtain and pass a Criminal Background check.

Faculty

Anna Francisco

Class Act and Reading Instructor

218-322-2368

Meet our Alumni

Dezmon LeTexier

Class Act/Pre-Education

I chose Minnesota North College – Itasca so I could play baseball and get my teaching degree. When Coach Lamppa reached out I knew it would be a great fit. I’ve made a lot of cool friendships and have gotten to meet people from Florida, Texas, and even the Dominican Republic! We’re a super tight-knit group and we spend a lot of time outside of the classroom together.

I really like all my classes and I’m doing really well in the Class Act program. Almost a 4.0! We’ve done some volunteer work at the food shelf and homeless shelter and it’s been great learning about resources that we’ll need to know about as future educators. I want to go into Special Education and the field experience that we get inside the classroom has solidified my interest in the teaching field. Anna’s a great teacher and I feel very prepared to transfer on to a University both academically and athletically.

I definitely like the smaller campus and I feel like I’m able to get to know my professors. I feel like an actual student instead of just a number. The support here at Itasca is amazing. With the low-cost of tuition, scholarships that were available to me, and working as a Residential Advisor in Housing, I didn’t have to pay anything out of pocket!

Abby Gustason

Class Act/Pre-Education

When I was looking at colleges my senior year of high school, there were a few key factors that led to me choosing Minnesota North College – Itasca. For starters, I knew I wanted to stay close to home. Secondly, I knew I wanted to go into education and I had heard so many great things about the Class Act Program at Itasca. I personally knew quite a few people from this area who had gone through the Class Act Program and had a positive experience. And third, I wanted to continue playing softball. Taking all of these things into account, it was pretty clear Itasca was the right choice for me.

My experience at Itasca has been nothing but great! From the first day of freshman orientation, I felt at home. Having small class sizes really gives you the opportunity to develop relationships with not only your peers but also your professors. The professors are always willing to help with whatever I need and I really couldn’t be more thankful. The advisors are also amazing, they are always available to answer any questions, and have helped me through the transfer process for next year.

My favorite college memory would definitely be the first day of freshman orientation. The Itasca staff really welcomed everyone with open arms and I met so many new people from all over the state and country who are now lifelong friends. One thing I would say to people who are looking to come to Itasca is don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people. Change can be scary but if you put yourself out there, you are going to get the most out of your time here at Itasca! I was a little worried that by choosing Community College I wouldn’t get the real “college experience”. Turns out this couldn’t have been further from the truth! I will forever be grateful for my time at Itasca and all of the amazing people I have met and all of the experiences I enjoyed.

Katherine Starr

Class Act/Pre-Education

I chose Itasca because many of my co-workers recommended the Class Act program. I teach currently for Head Start. I have found the Class Act program exciting and my fellow classmates to be caring and a second family.

Anna is the MOST important part of the Class Act program. She has so much knowledge and experience in teaching which gives us the best chance to succeed. With the support of Anna and my classmates I have maintained a 4.0 for 32 credits!

My favorite college memory is the Class Act camping trip. I have remained close to that whole group throughout this journey. If you are considering coming to Itasca or the Class Act program I cannot tell you enough good things about the college or program.

I am so very thankful for Minnesota North College-Itasca and the Class Act program. Without both I would not be fulfilling my dream as a teacher!!

Additional Information

Transferability

Bemidji State University

Elementary or Secondary Education B.S.

Bemidji State University was founded as a school for teacher preparation. A century later, the Department of Professional Education is as committed as ever to developing outstanding teachers. 

The College of St. Scholastica

B.S. Elementary Education Degree Completion

Offered at Minnesota North – Itasca and on the Duluth Campus. The B.S. Elementary Education Degree Completion program features a hybrid format of online and on-campus classes, allowing students to continue working while completing their degree. Classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and every other Saturday.