By Taylor Dingman, Editor in Chief
El Camino welcomes Lillian Nickel as a new English teacher, after being a student teacher for English teacher Kristin Thompson last school year.
Nickel started off at Cosumnes River College in 2016 before transferring to Sacramento State University and completing a Bachelor’s degree in English. From Fall 2022 to Spring 2023, Nickel was in the credential program at Sacramento State which taught her how to effectively plan and manage a classroom.
Throughout the entire credential program, she was student teaching here at EC. In May 2023, Nickel earned a Single-Subject Teaching Credential in English. This summer, she applied to EC and accepted a teaching position that started this school year.
Nickel expressed her reasoning behind becoming an English teacher.
“It started off with a passion for literature,” Nickel stated. “Once I started getting into my training, I realized it was more about connecting with the students. And teaching English gives you more of an opportunity to open doors for students.”
Nickel expressed how she got more personal experience inside the classroom with Thompson, compared to her classes at CSUS.
“My Sac State training focused more on the research side of things. Learning how students learn, learning techniques for lesson planning, unit planning, but actually being in the classroom with Mrs.Thompson gave me a lot of opportunity to be the teacher,” Nickel said.
Nickel knew that she wanted to have open doors for students and be able to communicate effectively with them; she figured that an English classroom would be the best place to do so.
Thompson expressed her belief that Nickel will be a successful English teacher here at EC.
“She wants to help students and make a difference,” Thompson said.
Thompson explained that she gives her student teachers more of the real life experiences inside the classroom. The classes teach theory, and according to Thompson, the classroom is where they get actual practice.
Overall, Nickel got great experience in her classes at CSUS and in the classroom with Thompson. EC is excited to have her join the Eagle family.
The Eagle Eye Newspaper 