new TeacHers
In Texas geT InsTrucTIonal and
Educational Electives
menTor supporT THrougH THe
Linda Aiello, who teaches aspiring
In addition to the academic curriculum
Texas begInnIng educaTor
teachers in the educational assistant
which all high school students take, a wide
supporT sYsTem (Txbess).
program at Clements High School in Sugar
variety of electives in the Education & Land, says, “I like working with students and
Training cluster are available. I want to make a difference. I enjoy watching
“A good course a student could take is one and 12th graders should participate students discover that they can achieve more
that provides essential background knowledge in a focused teacher-prep course that than they ever thought possible.
of child and adolescent development, such provides instructional interaction and field “My mother was a wonderful teacher who
as Child Development or Preparation for experiences,” says Wragg. earned the love of her students. I wanted to
Parenting,” Wragg says. Other useful electives Students may think they know very well have the chance to build the same rapport.”
available to students interested in education what goes on in a school classroom, but If you’ve got that desire and a talent for
are Exploring Education Careers, Family and classroom teaching is a lot different from helping others reach their goals, a good
Career Management, and Individual and classroom learning. Wragg recommends way to prepare is to watch what happens
Family Life. Ready, Set, Teach! for high school students at your school and in your classes.
Some high school electives help students who want to get a sense of what it feels like to Volunteer to help your teachers and seek
obtain certification of mastery of particular be at the head of a class. their advice as mentors. Make yourself a
skills. The knowledge and skills required student of education.
for the Educational Aide I certificate, for Leave a Legacy “The best way to get experience is to be
example, can be developed through the Although a good high school program in in the classroom,” concludes Wragg.
Ready, Set, Teach! course. The certificate Education & Training can help you decide
qualifies students to become a teacher’s aide if you want to teach and start you down the
after high school. road to your career, educators stress that in
Your high school education should many ways, teaching is a calling as well as a
include an experience in teaching. “Eleventh learned discipline.
S P o T L I G H T
CHANGING LIvES IN REAL CLASSRooMS
ready, set, teach! shows Future teachers how it’s done
E
lizabeth Hernandez was told her ready, set, materials, help with recordkeeping, and observe “The students have assignments that they
Teach! (rsT) experience in cleveland, Texas, experienced teachers at work. complete,” kamin says. “we also spend time
would be fun. little did she know that it would “The biggest selling point to high school discussing what happened during their time
also be an important factor in her acceptance to students is the opportunity to teach other teaching to evaluate what to do the next time a
sam Houston state university. students,” says kim kamin, who directs ready, similar situation occurs.”
“I took the portfolio I developed in the class set, Teach! at Trinity High school in euless. during her rsT experience, Hernandez worked
to my college interview and received a full students in the course intern under the direction with second graders measuring their accuracy in
scholarship,” says Hernandez, a 2001 graduate of and supervision of teachers in elementary, middle, reading. now employed at northside elementary,
cleveland High school. she is currently a second and high schools. Hernandez teaches alongside teachers who
grade bilingual teacher at northside elementary in “ready, set, Teach! provides a reference point helped her gain experience in the program. she
the cleveland Independent school district. for students’ college education courses,” kamin says rsT helped her realize that teachers must
ready, set, Teach! is an internship that gives says. “This course does not teach everything they practice patience.
high school juniors and seniors the chance to need to know, but the high school experiences will “You must have a passion to motivate students
work in a real classroom environment. The course help them to become better teachers later.” even when they’re not motivated to learn,”
lets aspiring teachers direct activities with single The students’ internships are coordinated with Hernandez says. “You do it because you love kids
children or with groups, prepare instructional instruction they receive from their rsT instructors. and you want to make a difference in their lives.”
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