Stepping into the shoes of a middle school teacher marked a pivotal moment for a handful of students from Carroll County High School. It sealed a commitment to teaching for some and, for others, the experience confirmed a classroom is not the spot for them.
As part of their college-level introduction to education class, the high schoolers were required to observe teachers in the classroom.
The students gathered at Carroll County Middle School where Instructional Coach Mandy Young divided them among classrooms. They assisted teachers and engaged with students. Some found themselves elbow-deep in potting soil in science class, while others played in kickball matches or lent a hand with vocabulary lessons.
“It was nice to see from the teacher’s perspective,” said Lydia Risk, a sophomore who is considering a career in teaching.
“It confirmed it for me,” said an excited Makayla Keithley. She shadowed the eighth grade social studies teacher, which just happened to be her favorite subject. Makayla said her middle school social studies teacher is the reason she is pursuing a career in education.
Interacting with the students left a lasting impression on Makayla, reinforcing her belief in the influence of teachers. "A teacher can change your life," she reflected, emphasizing her intent to support students in the same way she was supported by her teachers in middle school.
Not everyone in the education pathway has their sights set on teaching.
Hannah Weedman, a freshman who comes from a family of teachers, said she enjoys the classes and the students but does not want to teach.
Ruby Atilano Zarate agrees with Hannah. “The kids were friendly and it was fun,” Ruby said, noting she expected middle schoolers to behave much differently. Ruby works as a co-op at Cartmell Elementary and said she took the education classes because she knew she would have that job.
Led by advisor Christin Lewellyn, these students aim to broaden their horizons in the years ahead and explore various careers within the realm of education. They hope to visit different schools and expose themselves to diverse experiences that will help determine if education is the right career path for them.