Faculty Spotlight
Helen Guttentag
Professor of Education
Teaching the Teachers
Everyone remembers a favorite elementary school teacher. But who teaches those teachers? At Simmons, that person is Professor Helen Guttentag, who teaches the "Reading and Language Arts Methods" course for students preparing to teach at the elementary level.
Throughout her 29 years at Simmons, Guttentag has taught literally thousands of teachers, by coordinating all elementary practicum placements and supervision, managing the licensure process for all general education students, directing the undergraduate general education program, and advising undergraduate and graduate MAT students.
Yet her most satisfying teaching moments have come from the students she advises. "Hearing from students how helpful my reading course has been for them, or how appreciative they are of the placement I was able to facilitate for them, is extremely gratifying," said Guttentag, who was awarded the 2006-2007 Dean's Award for Exceptional Undergraduate Advising.
"Helen's wealth of knowledge and passion for teaching are what make her a great professor," said Sarah Halter'06. Now a fourth grade teacher in Brookline, Mass., Halter says that Guttentag "really cares about her students and wants us to be successful. Her knowledge and guidance helped prepare me for my first year of teaching."
Guttentag said it's easy to keep her career fresh, with all the changes that occur in state and federal education requirements, but a challenge, too. Aside from her classroom tactics of balancing group work, discussion, and more teacher-directed presentations, her priority is to prepare her students for their fieldwork placements and for their careers as teachers. "I always try to relate what we are discussing in class to what they are seeing and learning in their classrooms," she said.
And she realizes that to create good teachers, she must lead and teach by example. "I try to instill in my students a respect for the very important work that classroom teachers do, their responsibility to help each of their students achieve the most that he or she is capable of, and the knowledge that their profession involves lifelong learning," said Guttentag.
To read more about Professor Guttentag and her body of work, visit Helen's faculty profile page. Also, learn more about Simmons' Education department.
