Teacher Cadets Step into Roles to Inspire Students
Thirteen students in Gar-Field High School's Teacher Cadet Program recently learned first-hand how a school-wide activity can get students excited about reading. The Teacher Cadet Program, a state-wide initiative, allows juniors and seniors, who are aspiring to become teachers, to visit schools and participate in classroom lessons, and to ultimately choose a grade level and complete a field experience. The program seeks to provide high school students with an insight into the nature of teaching and the critical issues affecting the quality of education in our schools. Students successfully completing the course qualify for three college credits.
On this particular day, the cadets got to take part in Storybook Celebration Day at Vaughan Elementary School, and see many of the school’s teachers and administrators dressed up as their favorite storybook characters. School Principal Lillie Jessie was dressed as a witch from Heckedy Peg, while a few of the second grade teachers wore costumes from The Wizard of Oz. Farmer Brown from Click Clack Moo, Cows that Type; Annie from The Magic Treehouse series; Viola Swamp from Miss Nelson is Missing; and Pippi from The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking were just a few of the other characters who were out and about to help celebrate reading.
Dr. Walts also visited on the same day, and commended the staff on the success of their event. Not only did the students enjoy listening to their teachers as they read their favorite storybook tales, but many shared a day of fun that they won’t soon forget. After all, who can forget the day that the principal dressed up as a witch?!? The Teacher Cadets from Gar-Field filed this memory away, to be recalled when they take their posts as teachers just a few years from now. The lesson: make learning fun!
2/3/06
