A 3.98 GPA, 3.5 Years of Dedication -- and How SUNY Potsdam Failed a Student Teacher…read more I am in my final semester of SUNY Potsdam's Bachelor's Elementary Education program after completing a 2+2 pathway with SUNY Jefferson. I graduate with a 3.98 GPA. For over 3.5 years, I was fortunate to learn from outstanding professors and alongside dedicated future educators. I worked with three different mentor teachers and consistently received good to excellent evaluations. Until this semester, I never had a single issue with staff or peers. My final placement, however, left me in shock and disbelief. During a lesson observation with university supervisor Lynette Emrich, I felt I was treated in a way that was unprofessional, demeaning, and deeply discouraging. I was laughed at, talked down to, and dismissed while calmly attempting to clarify my instructional choices. At one point, she stated that I told a student they "did not have to complete an assignment if they didn't want to." Any educator knows this is simply not something that happens. When I tried to explain, I was shut down with, "I'm not going to argue with you," despite remaining respectful and non-confrontational. I was also told that my phonics lesson on soft "g" and hard "g" was unrelated to literacy and was merely an "audible" skill -- despite current educational science recognizing phonemic awareness as a core component of literacy instruction. Feedback is necessary in teacher preparation, but it should be grounded in current research and delivered professionally. Facial expressions such as laughing, smirking, or visible disbelief have no place in supervision. I want to be absolutely clear: I have no reason to lie about this experience -- can anyone truly fathom one? Speaking up has only cost me. I now have to transfer colleges and pay additional fees because of this sudden change. I am a high-achieving student with years of strong evaluations and a long history of professionalism. I later learned that other student teachers have felt talked down to as well, but many younger students were afraid to speak up. I am not. I will always stand up when I see mistreatment -- whether toward students or toward myself. After this incident, I reached out repeatedly for support and requested not to meet again with the same supervisor. I was only told that a meeting could be arranged. After 3.5+ years of commitment to this institution, I felt deeply discouraged that SUNY Potsdam failed to support me when it mattered most. I remain grateful for many excellent professors and peers. However, I strongly advise student teachers to research regional and national reviews, meet supervisors in advance, and seriously consider alternative colleges. In my experience, SUNY Potsdam is failing student teachers -- not because of its professors, but because administrative systems did not act when a dedicated student needed support the most.

I hate this place so much. Please, If you're considering enrolling here, find somewhere else. My…read moredegree program is so much weaker than I was lead to believe. The people here are so self-obsessed that you won't make any connections. The workers are so obviously depressed and underpaid. Even my professors are looking for other universities.

This was much nicer than we expected. Every building was clean and well kept. The surrounding area…read moreis pretty bland but looks like outdoor activities could keep you busy. It is affordable and the options for dorm choices are very nice. The performance space is beautiful. The people were all really nice. I would recommend a visit.

SLU was small enough to acknowledge my individual needs, yet big enough to allow and encourage my…read morecuriosity about new encounters and experiences. A wonderful experience awaits those choosing SLU!

Dear SLU, Never been…read moreto a reunion, never will go. Why? Because, like many peers, I was date-raped by a co-ed, and when I spoke up about it, my car got keyed by other students. I was also sexually harassed by a tenured professor. Though I was not the only one, I was singular in reporting it to the school. At the urging of other profs, I endured a lengthy investigation, which resulted in minimal repercussions for the offender. It's sad my parents paid full tuition for 4 years, so I could have the opportunity to say, "Me Too!" (I was second-generation to attend this school, as well.)

Excellent collage! My Grandson gragrandson graduated from there…read more He also played on the Lacrosse team.

These pictures that I took was when I first went to to this University. It has its history, it's…read morecute. The dorm rooms are a bit small, but it's just college. The bathroom got a short skinny hallway with mirror/sinks; the shower/door in front of it + restroom. Cafeteria is big. I'd love to go here. However if you are looking for things to do other than just being at the college, I'd recommend going out a bit on a day trip or something. However, there are a few restaurants and grocery stores/ and of course Walmart

I graduated in 89. One of the most incredible experiences in my life. I was 34 when I started…read morethere. I miss the comradery with the much younger generation and the closeness' I got to the Professors. Even though I ended up a Pastor I will always look at my time at Smitty's as an incredible part of my life.

Love the outdoors? 14,000 acre campus in the middle of the Adirondacks. Hike each day at the VIC…read morecenter, go "hammocking" beside the lake, ski Whiteface, bowling in Saranac, canoe, fish from your kayak, and watch hockey in Lake Placid. Niche school with business, entrepreneur studies, hospitality, culinary, forestry, fisheries, surveying, recreation leisure management, psychology and more. Woodsman Club, snowshoe racing, snowmobiling, hunting! Must like pine needles!