Mary was in my first Teacher Cadet class during the 2006-2007 school year.  She kept in contact with me during college and came back yearly to speak to my class.  She graduated in 2011 and got her first teaching job in our county this year.  In August I kept a promise I make to all my graduating seniors, I helped Mary set-up her first classroom.  For me, it was an honor and a privilege to assist a former student as she began her teaching career.

Jane was a student in Teacher Cadet in 2009-2010. She was also a member of the Future Educators Association (FEA).  When she came home to speak to my class after her first semester of college, she was so excited to share a project from her first education class.  The class was divided into groups and was to prepare a presentation about becoming teachers.  Her group talked about using a PowerPoint and she suggested using MovieMaker.  No one in her group had heard of MovieMaker.   She showed them her final Teacher Cadet project and FEA’s Public Service Announcement.  They immediately asked her to teach them to use the program.  The group learned a new skill, she was delighted to teach them, and the project earned an “A.”  Jane showed the project to my class and they were inspired and enthusiastic about their upcoming assignment. 

Sara was a Teacher Cadet 1 in 2010-2011.  In the beginning, she was a quiet student, but she earned good grades.  She joined FEA and volunteered for all the October activities.  As Sara became active in the club, she also participated more in class.  Her confidence increased when she began her first internship and she not only taught the required lessons to small groups of students, but taught a lesson to the entire class.  Second semester Sara continued to increase her class participation and taught monthly lessons to her internship class.  This year Sara is in Teacher Cadet 2.  She is active in class and at her internship site.  She was elected FEA president.