FGCU education majors fear changes to their college experience could result from cuts to the U.S. Department of Education.
An executive order from President Donald Trump instructed U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.”
For education majors, elements of study known as field experiences are worked into their degree. Each semester, students are assigned an area school and classroom placement to spend time in to gain experience. Block one is the beginning of that internship during one’s junior year.
“I think it’s super important, because some people want to be teachers, and then they’re in the classroom full time, and then they can’t handle it, and they realize what a full day is like actually can be a lot,” special education major Kelsey Frearson said.
Frearson is starting her block one in the fall semester. She said she likes to have hands-on experience. She believes it’s beneficial, but she’s still unsure.
“I’m a little uneasy about it, though, because I have had other people who have told me the process and walked me through it, and now that everything’s changed, I feel like, kind of the fish out of the water, like I don’t really know what to expect,” she said.
In a memo to Eagle Media and Director of University Communications & Media Relations Pam McCabe concerning an earlier version of this story, FGCU College of Education said no classes are being removed, nor are field experiences being shortened. However, education majors shared what they are hearing and experiencing.
Students reported classroom availability for field experiences filled up quicker than normal, with some students left to scramble for the last spots.
Most funding for U.S. schools comes from state and local governments. Though students might be watching closely for changes as a result of federal budget cuts, the university assures it is doing what is necessary for the college based on what it was told from those government entities.
“FGCU’s leadership team works closely with the State University System of Florida (SUS) to monitor, assess and comply with any mandated changes from the state or federal government,” McCabe said in a statement from the university. “At this time, we do not anticipate any interruptions of service or changes to the student experience.”
Eagle News reached out to College of Education professors, advisors and deans to find out more information for the original version of this story. The department responded following its original print publication in the April 2025 issue of Eagle News.
Sonya Pietrusiewicz is a third-year English major who recently added an education minor last spring. Students with minors in education can take courses as they best fit their schedule. Because of this, she is taking blocks one, two and four at once this semester.
“I think getting thrown into it showed me the reality of it, and it honestly made me work harder, and now I feel more prepared going into another internship, going to my block five next semester,” Pietrusiewicz said.
Field experiences have specific supervisors designated to the students to help them through it, making it a personalized experience for them by giving the students feedback on their teaching. Students were worried these supervisors could be taken away and replaced with professors, who are already busy. However, the College of Education assures that it’s up to faculty to decide.
“Faculty assignments are equitable and is something arranged collaboratively with their chair,” said Dean Diana Cheshire in her response to Eagle News.
For majors like education, gaining experience is necessary and what many students love most about the program.
“I think that we should have as many resources as possible, especially with this profession that we’re going into,” Pietrusiewicz said. “We have to know that this is what we want to do and they have to know that we’re capable of it too.”
This story has been updated from its original version
