Do NWCTA’s Kindergarten classes provide beneficial learning? 

By Dorren Sultani          Published on February 9th, 2022

NWCTA, which is a highschool, includes a kindergarten class for students five years old and under. There are many requirements a child has to obtain to be enrolled in the kindergarten program. This class is a part of the Teacher Education program that is one of the many programs the highschool offers. 

Claire Carrizzo, student enrolled in the teacher education program shares her opinion on the program and the young students, “I believe it's a great idea to have them  here so the teacher ed program can gain experience.” She further explains that she enjoys the class and working with the young students, getting crafty and making posters is one of her favorite parts. 

The teacher education program itself offers the same materials regular elementary schools offer, but more advanced. Some highlights the unique program includes a licensed teacher supported by NWCTA early childhood/teacher education students, special classes for the young students like Art, STEM robotics, PE, Spanish, and rotating CTE classes which are computer science, vet science, medical science, and culinary arts. 

Asking seniors who are already experienced with the program and know what it offers believe the program does not need any significant changes or alterations. Senior Wendy Navarro expresses her thoughts, “The program itself does not need any improvements as we learn valuable lessons, great teaching skills, and academically perform well.” 

On the school website, it explains further on student enrollment and more, they provide more than the special classes which are the high-tech equipment, exclusive playground, a greenhouse on campus to expose students to planting and growing vegetables and flowers. 

Opinions differ throughout the students, some enjoy working with kids and some are in it just for the experience. “NWCTA has a teacher education program because of how significant it is to teach people who want to be educators especially in a state where we lack educators.” Said Wendy Navarro. 

Overall, it has been justified that the program does not have any reasons for it to be removed or revamped other than seniors getting to interact more closely with the kindergarteners. There isn't much interaction with the kindergarteners because the older students are too focused on creating lesson plans like teachers do, which has yet to be solved.