Presentations about the Teacher Cadet program and Future Educators Association (FEA) are made throughout the year.  These presentations focus on promoting the program and recruiting internship sites or future classes.  This year we are also hosting a community Chalk Walk to promote education and honor teachers which will also be a scholarship fundraiser for a future teacher.

The Best Practices in the Teacher Cadet Program are people, places and things.  Teaching is more than a job; it’s a passion.  Learning is more than a task; it’s a responsibility. 

The people in Teacher Cadet provide the learning opportunity.  They are the instructor, mentors, interns and students.  Their relationships are crucial to the success of the program.  Mutual respect is essential.

• The teacher sets the tone and works with the students; the guide on the side.  A teacher needs to be organized, knowledgeable, and able to motivate the students.  Teaching involves communicating and listening.  Know the students, be patient and demonstrate a genuine interest in their well being.
• The mentor provides the internship experience.  The course wouldn’t be the same without practical, hands-on experiences.  A mentor is a role model who welcomes an intern into the classroom.  This program is a win, win, win situation – the students learn, the intern learns, and the mentor receives extra help for the students. 
• The intern needs to be prepared and ready to learn.  Stay alert and be an active listener.  Take notes, ask questions and stay focused.  Rapport is important – between teacher and student, student and student, intern and mentor, and intern and student.

The places in and outside the Teacher Cadet classroom provide the learning environment. 

• The teacher needs to create a warm, inviting classroom.  Desks/tables should be arranged for optimum learning.  Bulletin boards and walls must be bright, attractive and informative.  The room and surfaces need to be clean.  The Teacher Cadet instructor also finds appropriate internship sites.  This takes time and should be arranged well in advance.
• The student needs to respect the room, equipment and supplies.  The student needs to show initiative while at their internship; find something to do when there are a few extra minutes.  There is always one more task to complete in a classroom.

The things in and outside the Teacher Cadet classroom provide the learning foundation.

• The teacher provides instruction.  Presentations and assignments should be authentic and include active learning.  Technology needs to be incorporated regularly.  Students are tech savvy and their energy needs to be channeled.  Technology is more than PowerPoint; lessons need to include Publisher, MovieMaker, Webquests, and online interactive activities such as Discussion Board, Wikis, Blogs and, the latest, Google Docs.   Internet research brings the world into the classroom.  Vary teaching strategies, offer choices, and get students involved.

• The student needs to be prepared to learn.  Their responsibility includes: a positive attitude, organization; completing assignments/tasks to the best of their ability, and taking unfinished work home to complete.  Students are accountable for their education.

As my students learn from me, I also learn from them.  I strive to make a difference in their lives.  My goal is to inspire them to become productive citizens and lifelong learners.