Teaching future teachers

TAVARES — Like so many counties in Florida, Lake County is competing for good teachers, often vying for top talent against larger districts that pay more.

But rather than sulk about being at a disadvantage, Lake has embarked on a novel effort designed to steer area students toward teaching careers in hopes they will join local faculties after college.

The Teaching Academy pilot program is in its first year at Tavares High School and has attracted a mix of seniors and freshmen.

Students who complete the four-year program and pass a test will earn a Microsoft Office Specialist Industry certification, may earn college credit and are guaranteed a job interview after college.

In return, students must have a minimum 2.5 overall grade point average, score well on the FSA English Language Arts Assessment, have good attendance and have no significant disciplinary issues.

“I very much want to be a teacher, and this course will give me a good idea of what courses I need to take and what certifications I need,” said academy student Amanda Arp.

Because she graduates at the end of this school year, Arp, a senior, will not be able to take advantage of the full four-year program, but she said it still has benefits. “It will help me get better at interacting with other people (and) that will help me get better at teaching.”

English teacher Bonnie Watkins, who is heading up the program, said it’s a grow-your-own type program to bring students back as teachers after college.

The state had a framework for Teaching Academy and Watkins worked over the summer developing the curriculum.

“I went to a national conference, Educators Rising, developed lesson plans and in the spring went to Tavares Middle School to begin recruitment,” Watkins said.

This first year there are 30 students in the program and it has partnered with Tavares Elementary to satisfy the required field experience.

Freshman Haley Abbott said she wants to stay in the program for four years.

“I’ve always really enjoyed children so I knew from a young age I wanted to be a first grade teacher,” Abbott said. “I’m surrounded by other teachers and we’re all learning together.”

Senior Mackenzie Fox said the course has exceeded every expectation.

“I really decided to take this because I felt I could truly benefit from the experiences of working with the children,” Fox said “I don’t want to go into teaching. My goal is to work with special needs children.”

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