Satisfying career found in business teaching

Bixby encourages student achievement in the classroom

Although he came to UNI to study accounting, Chad Bixby’s (Business Teaching, ’99) real interests were coaching and working with kids. Hearing this, Chad’s roommate suggested a change in major, and Chad made the switch to Business Teaching.

As part of his teacher training, Chad completed field experiences in local schools where he was able to learn classroom techniques while planning and teaching lessons. At his first field experience, his cooperating teacher went home sick, and he had the unexpected opportunity to present the entire lesson to the class.

“My field experiences at UNI gave me a wide variety of practice in situations from high school to elementary. They prepared me to deal with all aspects of teaching,” Chad said.

Chad found the professors at UNI helpful and supportive. More than one professor was “willing to help you out if you needed it” and “went out of their way to help you”. Among those that stand out in his mind are Darrel Davis, his methods teacher, and Dianna Briggs, who helped guide his preparation in business education.

Since many teachers, advisors, and cooperating teachers helped him along his path to a career in education, Chad is “giving back.” Aside from his duties teaching high school students and coaching middle school baseball at Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Chad has supervised two student teachers. In his efforts to help novice teachers hone their skills, he sets three goals for them. First, he wants them to build their classroom management skills. Second, he helps them identify their own, personal approach to teaching.

“I want the teacher to find his or her teaching style. It may be different from mine, but that is fine,” Chad said.

Finally, he wants the teacher to incorporate technology into the classroom. Chad advises Business Teaching students to “Keep up to date with technology. It will get ahead of you if you are not careful."

Updated 13-Jul-06