I Want to be a Teacher!

(February 8, 2008) “Local partnerships do much more than just provide job insights. These partnerships help students connect school-based and work-based learning. Students begin to see the relevancy of what they are studying in the real world of work,” states Connie Gevinski, the School to Career Coordinator for the Riverhead Central School District.

The students at Riverhead High School get a number of opportunities to experience careers that interest them first hand.

Future Teachers Teach a Class in Community

Fifty-four RHS students planning to major in education in college next year or some time in the near future spent two days in an elementary school in the District teaching four units on “Community” to first graders as part of an ongoing alliance between the District’s School to Career program and the Junior Achievement (JA) program.

The future teachers spent a day themselves in a workshop taught by a representative from JA learning how to present the curriculum to first graders. All of the materials were provided by JA. "Family" and “Community” are two topics that first and second graders study as part of their social studies curriculum.

"It's a great experience. I love being with the kids. They're so smart!"

"I love being with the kids. They're so smart," states Marissa Scott and and Krista Lohmann, almost in unison, as they talk about their day of teaching in Mrs. Case's first grade class at the Aquebogue Elementary School. Both young women are "absolutely sure" they want to be elementary teachers. "My mom is a preschool teacher," states one. "I've been babysitting and teaching Sunday School forever," states the other. They both started participating in the "High School Heroes" teaching day as 10th graders. "It's a great experience," they both agree. As an edge toward landing that first teaching job, Marissa and Krista both plan to continue their Spanish studies during college.

Other opportunities to identify a possible career path before graduation

The teaching experience is just one of the many opportunities provided students by the School to Career program to help them with career planning before college or job training. Internships and job shadowing are two other opportunities (e.g., visiting BestBuy and Federal Express). In addition, seniors participate in a breakfast meeting with area professionals, who sit and talk with them one-on-one about their chosen career. These experiences make jobs and career choices “real”.

# # # #