Bethpage High School's Careers in Education students recently stepped into the role of teacher, visiting 2nd grade classrooms at each of the district's elementary schools to lead a hands-on reading lesson. The students read Wanted: Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar aloud to the classes, then guided the younger students through an activity tied to the story, gaining practical experience that most students don't experience until they're well into a college education program.
The Careers in Education course, offered as an elective for 11th and 12th graders, was developed by Director of Literacy and English Language Arts Valerie Filbry and Bethpage High School English teacher Maria Whalen. Their goal was to create something more substantial than a survey class – a genuinely well-rounded experience for students who are seriously considering pursuing a degree in education.
That means the course goes well beyond textbook learning. Students travel to JFK Middle School for observation experiences, where they study classroom design, how teachers communicate instruction and the strategies educators use to manage a room full of kids. They engage with Bethpage High School's ACE program to build their understanding of differentiation and how to reach learners with varying needs. And they also work on the practical side of entering any profession – developing resumes and practicing their skills in mock interviews.
At the heart of it all is a simple but important question the course asks students to sit with: Is this actually for me? Before committing to a college major, participants are encouraged to reflect honestly on whether a career in education aligns with their interests and long-term goals.
For the Careers in Education students who stood at the front of those 2nd grade classrooms – reading aloud, fielding questions, keeping small hands busy with an activity – that question likely came into sharper focus. There's no substitute for the real thing, and leading a lesson at each of the district's elementary schools gave these students something no lecture can: the feeling of what it actually means to teach.
