ExTEnDED LEArning OPTiOns
real-life experience in
teaching can help you
develop your skills.
Find
Your Calling
in the
Classroom
college. “I’ve known many people who Childhood STAR Event, for example,
started in the field of education only to students work in a classroom setting and
find that they didn’t like writing lesson document their work by compiling a
plans and working with students,” Martin portfolio. The portfolio is then submitted
says. Her advice to high school students to competitions at the regional, state, and
is to find an opportunity to work with national levels.
children before making the commitment Kristy Hernandez, a senior at Hutto
to pursue an education career in college. High School, is headed to the state
competition with a 30-page portfolio
E
mily Martin is preparing for a career
get Experience documenting her work at A Mother’s
in Education & Training. A senior at
One of the best ways to find out whether Choice Learning Center in Hutto. As a
Angelo State University in San Angelo,
teaching is your calling is to learn by teacher’s aide, Hernandez wrote lessons
Martin found interning at an elementary
doing. This is called extended learning, that matched the school’s weekly themes.
school during her senior year of high
and it means to extend your professional At the state competition, she will present
school gave her a better understanding of
development beyond the walls of your the lesson to judges.
the teaching profession.
own classroom. “Planning lessons that appeal to
“It gave me a new perspective of
A great way for students to begin students who have already spent their
a school,” Martin says. “I had the
this process is to participate in student entire day in a classroom has been
opportunity to assist behind the scenes. It
organizations such as Family, Career difficult and time-consuming, but fun at
was a great experience.”
and Community Leaders of America the same time,” says Hernandez. “I have
She encourages students to get involved
(FCCLA) and the Texas Association enjoyed watching the students grow and
in a teaching internship before entering
of Future Educators (TAFE) (see “Top learn from my activities.”
Student Teachers” at right).
Both organizations sponsor Lead Others
activities to help students FCCLA and TAFE also sponsor volunteer
THe uTeacH program aT
explore teaching as a career. activities that help aspiring teachers
THe unIversITY of Texas aT ausTIn
FCCLA offers a series of cultivate service and leadership skills.
Has doubled THe number of uT ausTIn
competitive events known To kick off the school year at Killeen
as STAR (Students Taking High School, the school’s TAFE chapter
sTudenTs graduaTIng wITH maTH and
Action with Recognition) sponsored a back-to-school teacher
scIence TeacHer cerTIfIcaTIon.
Events. During the Early car wash. “Teachers donated school
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