Educational Careers
Course Description
Educational Careers is a yearlong activity based curriculum equivalent to an entry level college course, created specifically for high school juniors and seniors. The course is designed to promote a better understanding of the field of education and create interest in those students who may consider education and teaching as a profession. The program emphasizes the teaching and learning process, the psychology of learning, the development of teaching strategies, and the evaluation of teaching effectiveness. Students invest considerable classroom time on group projects and hands on learning activities. A capstone placement experience allows students to practice what they have learned in schools as teacher assistants, tutors, and presenters. It is an honors type program that details many components of the education profession and involves students in content, application, observations and teaching experience in elementary, middle school, and high school settings.
Employment opportunities in the child and family service areas are expected to grow faster than the national average of many other industries.
Course Objectives
Through learning and teaching experiences, students will
● Examine the multiple responsibilities and understand the professional roles of an educator;
● Explore diverse career options in education;
● Observe, explore, and utilize effective teaching practices;
● Recognize aspects of human growth and development that relate to learning;
● Develop and demonstrate leadership, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and self-evaluation skills;
● Develop an understanding of school structures, operations, and policies; and,
● Discuss and understand the complexities of critical issues in education.
● To meet the course objectives, students will be actively engaged in classroom learning activities as well as a work based learning field experience during the second semester.
High School Credit
4th year Math, VPAA, 2nd year Global Language, 3rd year Science
Post-Secondary Credit
Ferris State University, Central Michigan University, Baker College, Davenport University
Professionalism
When in their field placements all students must sign in and out of the front office daily and wear an identification badge. The cadet teacher is given the honor of being an authorized person to interact with students.
Interactions with children/students must be appropriate at all times. The students will look up to the cadet teachers and imitate them. Behavior and attire must be professional and suitable for role modeling students with whom you will interact.
Clothing must be neat, clean and appropriate. School staff at both the sending and the receiving school, are authorized to establish rules and regulations governing cadet teacher appearance and to make judgments relative to same.
Guidelines for Behavior
Violations of the student code of conduct, excessive absences, failure to perform duties to the requirements of the supervising teacher, abuse of driving privileges and other behaviors that fail to live up to the expectations of an appropriate role model may result in immediate removal from placement and/or without credit from Exploring Education Careers. All students must be earning a C or better in the course at First Semester to continue on with Second Semester, which is primarily the field experience.
FCCLA
Enrolled students have an opportunity to join FCCLA.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national nonprofit student organization that helps youth develop leadership and workplace skills to prepare for both college and careers through peer-to-peer education, community engagement, and the application of skills learned in the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) classroom.