Goals and objectives are clearly stated, realistic, and measurable.
Program Description
Teacher Cadet began at Mount Vernon High School six years ago as an elective in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department to encourage the brightest juniors and seniors to consider a teaching career. It is both an alternative and/or extension of the Early Childhood Careers (ECC) 1 and 2 program. ECC is a double period course that operates the Lil’ Majors Preschool inside the high school. Many students in ECC want to become teachers. The Teacher Cadet internship gives them more teaching experience. Some students, especially those with a 3.0 or higher GPA, don’t have room in their schedule for a double period course, but they can take a one credit course. The administration is supportive of Teacher Cadet and allows the course to be offered with fewer than twenty students.
Teacher Cadet 1 introduces juniors and seniors to a career in education. The curriculum focuses on the learner, the school, the teacher, and teaching. Students observe and participate in two internships from preK through 12th grade. In Teacher Cadet 2 seniors continue to pursue their interest in education careers. The primary focus is the teacher and teaching, reinforcing the skills and knowledge needed to prepare students to become future educators. Student internships are longer and at different grade levels.
Students successfully completing these courses may be eligible to earn a Career and Technical Education diploma seal.
Students successfully completing Teacher Cadet 1 in conjunction with another one credit course within the same program area will satisfy the sequential elective requirement for the standard or modified standard diploma. Students successfully completing Teacher Cadet 1 and 2 will satisfy the sequential elective requirement for the standard or modified standard diploma.
Fairfax County Public Schools began offering a duel enrollment opportunity for Teacher Cadet 1 with Shenandoah University during the 2010-11 school year. Students must pay a special rate of $159 for four credits. Last year six students participated. This year eight students are enrolled. Both years there have been interested students who were unable to afford the fee (52% of the Mount Vernon High School students have free and reduced lunch).
Industry certification also became available during the 2010-11school year. A passing score on the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Education and Training Assessment certification test may qualify for a student selected verified credit. The Fairfax County Career and Technical Office pays the fee for both a pre-test in the fall and the test in the spring.
The Teacher Cadet program has grown steadily during the past six years:
Students have interned at six local schools:
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