Kerns earns SNAG award following internship

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- In the near future, a group of students will have access to instructional golf equipment thanks to the impressive internship served by a Northeastern State University teacher candidate.

Kassie Kerns of Pryor was named the recipient of the SNAG Award as the NSU College of Education's outstanding health and physical education (HPE) intern. SNAG, or Starting New At Golf, is a global company based in the U.S. that offers age appropriate equipment to teach the game of golf to people of all ages.

Kerns served her internship in Owasso at Ator Elementary School and the Eighth Grade Center.

"I spent eight weeks teaching kindergarten through fifth grade and eight weeks teaching eighth grade," Kerns said. "I enjoy that moment when the light bulb goes on for the students. It is amazing watching them grasp a new concept."

As the SNAG Award winner, Kerns was given a donated SNAG All Ages Golf Kit consisting of equipment for 48 students. It includes rolling bags, clubs, balls, targets, training tools, launch pads, curricula with lesson plans and an instructional video.The equipment retails for $2,949.

"I plan to use the SNAG equipment in my future physical education classroom as a tool to introduce golf to my students," Kerns said. "I was excited to win because I know it would be difficult for most school districts to allocate a budget allowing the purchase of so much equipment."

To be considered for the award, students complete a unit in SNAG golf in their HPE Secondary Methods course in which they train with other HPE majors before teaching a golf unit at a public school.

During their final full internship, students may apply for the SNAG Award. Applicants must submit a paper explaining how they would use SNAG to improve their school and community.

Kerns wrote in her submission that she wanted "to introduce my students to skills that they have possibly not learned before, and to be an advocate for students to pursue playing golf throughout their lifetimes. By doing so, I feel that I will be motivating more people to pursue this activity that can lead to a lifetime of health."

During her internship, Kerns offered thanks to her onsite clinical faculty.

"They taught me a lot about teaching elementary level and middle school level students," Kerns said. "I would recommend any health and physical education major to intern with my clinical faculty. They both possess an abundance of knowledge about proper physical education."

While completing her coursework at Northeastern, Kerns voluntarily took the time to conduct some research. During NSU's annual Undergraduate Research Day on April 25, 2012, she was winner of the Students' Choice Award with "The Effect of Gender and Hometown Size on Stress Levels of University Freshmen."

Kerns said she is grateful to NSU and her instructors for the education which will serve as the foundation of her career, adding that the College of Education does an outstanding job preparing future teachers.

"By requiring their students to complete multiple internships, NSU gives its teacher candidates many opportunities to be involved in a real classroom," she said. "A functioning classroom is where one can learn the most about teaching through practical experience."

For more information about the NSU College of Education call 918-444-3700.