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Coastal students get teaching practice

Story by Stephanie Brookhart
Journalism Intern, MDPA Office
(541) 962-3585 | mdpa@eou.edu

COOS BAY, Ore. (EOU) — Terry Brueckner was among several Eastern Oregon University online education students who recently experienced some hands-on training with preschool-aged children at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay. 

EOU’s satellite campus at SOCC provided the venue for its students in the education program to test their teaching abilities with the group of young tykes. The local Coos Bay television station KCBY covered the event. To see the broadcast, visit www.kcby.com/news/local/37748154.html.

While Brueckner is grateful for the hands-on experience with the children, she also said she is appreciative for the availability of Eastern’s education degree program.

“I am so pleased that I can get such a great education and still live on the Oregon coast,” Brueckner said. “I live in Gold Beach and have to drive to Coos Bay two days a week for classes, but I don’t have to drive all the way to eastern Oregon to get this education. I can do it right here.”

Brueckner’s academic career began after a conversation with Janet Pretti who was her initial supervisor.  Pretti, now the interim dean of the SOCC Curry County campus, urged her to begin her studies right away.

“If it hadn’t been for Janet I wouldn’t be here now,” Brueckner said. “She looked me straight in the eye and told me to start classes NOW. She told me it didn’t matter if it was just one class but that it was important I start immediately because I had a ways to go.”

At age 50, Brueckner’s foray into academia began. After she completes her bachelor’s degree in education she wants to pursue her master’s in teaching special education. 

“I traveled one term to Brookings, but most courses I was able to take online and still be able to run my businesses from Gold Beach,” Brueckner said. “This would not have been possible in recent history. A crucial key in this plan is the willingness of EOU to create satellite campuses.”

Prior to attending school, Brueckner owned and operated a coffee bar, cell phone store, frame shop, art gallery and ice cream store.  She sold the coffee bar and cell phone store in 2006 when she began taking courses part-time.  In September of 2008 she sold the last three so she could attend school full-time. 

As for teaching, Brueckner said she is happy to work with any grades from kindergarten through sixth. 

“This term I am in a first-grade class and think this is where I want to be,” she said, “but last term I was in a fourth-and-fifth-grade combination class and I thought that was where I wanted to be.  I think I will be happy wherever I am hired.”

Finishing unfinished business is part of what motivates her. 

“I always wanted to go to school but something, like making a living, always got in the way,” Brueckner said. “When I graduate I will be 55-years-old. I feel the excellent education I am receiving, along with tons of life experiences, will serve both me and my future students well.”

Brueckner encourages everyone to pursue higher education. 

“I tell my story to anyone who will listen. I think every one of us needs a chance to have an education,” Brueckner said. “It has made me feel whole and much more confident. I hope EOU and SOCC recognize how important the Coos Bay, Brookings and Gold Beach campuses are for people like me.”