Interested in going into the field of education? If so, Atholton has an academy designed specifically to help you achieve that goal. The Teaching Academy of Maryland is composed of four classes that provide students with knowledge, skills, and experiences that will pave the way for their future career in education.
The last class of the Teaching Academy provides field experience, where students are given the opportunity to intern at a school of their choice. Before students can take this opportunity, they must complete three prerequisite classes. These classes include Teaching as A Profession, Foundations of Curriculum Instruction, and Human Growth and Development. All of these classes are available for students in grades 10-12 and provide students with the skills they need to be effective teachers.
“The education field has been on the decline for a little bit now,” said Ms. Johnson-Rolle, the teacher of the Teaching as a Profession course, “so it is definitely important that we recruit and tell students about the importance of coming back in the classroom, and preparing others for life.”
Teachers play such an important role in the lives of younger generations so it is important that we build a future of knowledgeable and influential teachers. Because the academy provides useful field experience, it helps students decide if teaching is a career they would like to pursue and could give them an advantage over some of their peers.
Field experience is such a great opportunity for students to see what it is truly like to be a teacher. They get practical experience teaching, making lesson plans, grading papers, managing a classroom, and sitting in on meetings. Students have a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing where to intern. Ms. Johnson-Rolle said, “they have the option to not only choose the school, but also the teacher, the grade, and the subject.” The only restriction is that the school must be within a ten mile radius of Atholton.
Although, field experience is not the only opportunity available to students in the Academy. There is also the opportunity for dual enrollment. “In two of the four courses, students can get dual enrollment through Howard County Community College,” stated Ms. Johnson-Rolle, “this gives them a jumpstart with earning college credits.”
Dual enrollment allows students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously for a huge fraction of what it would cost to take the course in college, although it is optional for students enrolled in an eligible class. There is a fee to enroll, but it is significantly less than what students would have to pay for classes in college. Dual enrollment is very beneficial especially for students planning on studying any form of education in college.
Four courses can be a lot to fit into a schedule in just three years. Students who are interested in enrolling in this academy should make sure they have room in their schedule for all four courses if they wish to take the field experience course their senior year. The county recommends that students take the Human Growth and Development course first, and then Teaching as A Profession second, and finally Foundations of Curriculum Instructions. However, this is not a required order and many students choose to take multiple courses at the same time or in the same year as their internship.
The Teaching Academy not only teaches the knowledge and skills needed for educators but it also helps students to develop patience, respect, and a good code of ethics. A student enrolled in Teaching as a Profession said, “even though I don’t really want to be a teacher, I’ve learned a lot of skills that I will use for whatever future career I choose.” The Teaching Academy is a great opportunity for all students in grades 10-12. If you are interested in finding out more about this academy, stop by Ms. Johnson-Rolle’s room, D165, or simply email Ms. Johnson-Rolle at Stephanie_Johnson-Rolle@hcpss.org.
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