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Aspiring Educators

The Aspiring Educator (AspireEd) Program is designed to introduce students to the education profession.  This program provides a foundational understanding of the teaching profession, offering a comprehensive introduction to this field and its diverse components. It is designed to equip aspiring educators with the knowledge and insights necessary to embark on a successful career in education. Specifically, this program focuses on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching, the basic principles of educational psychology, the art of teaching, the planning and administration of educational activities, school safety and health issues, and the social foundations of education.

This two-year program offers students an opportunity to complete four classes as listed below along with a career work experience placement during their senior year.

AspireEd Intro: This introductory course provides a foundational understanding of the field of education and its diverse components. This course equips aspiring educators with the knowledge and insights necessary to embark on a successful career in education. Participants will explore the historical, philosophical, and sociological aspects of education, gaining an appreciation for the role of educators in society.

AspireEd Class Mgt: This course is designed to guide future educators through the concepts of curriculum development, lesson planning, instructional design, classroom management, and student engagement techniques. It emphasizes the importance of thoughtful preparation in delivering effective instruction. Participants will learn how to align their teaching objectives with appropriate assessment methods, curriculum standards, instructional materials, and classroom activities. 

AspireEd Human Devlp: This course will introduce students to the various stages of human growth and development while learning how individuals evolve from infancy to adulthood. Students also explore the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of learning while gaining insights into theories and research related to education.

AspireEd Prof Ethics: This course will introduce students to the professional, ethical, and cultural responsibilities of teachers.  Students will investigate diverse cultural backgrounds and learn strategies to create inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive learning environments to support the unique needs of all students, including those with disabilities. Students will also examine the ethical responsibilities, values, and expectations that guide educators to make sound ethical decisions and develop the skills needed to continuously improve and adapt.

CWE AspireEd: The Career Work Experience (CWE) Course is only available to seniors who are enrolled in a related CTC course and have received instructor approval during the previous school year. This course allows graduating seniors to utilize the knowledge and skill that they developed through previous coursework and apply their expertise to real-world applications. CWE is designed to provide work based learning opportunities to culminate students' education and employability skills in a field related to their academic and career goals. The primary objective of this course is to promote workforce preparedness through strategic integration of classroom theory and occupational practice in an approved and supervised placement. There are several CWE options for students to choose from including both on-site and off-site placements. Options can include: Cooperative Work Experience/Capstone (Job Placement or Internship), Teaching Assistant, Center Assistant/Tutor, and Independent Research. Each year the instructor will announce these opportunities to 10th and 11th grade students and facilitate a selection and placement process for the following school year. Students must complete this process within the designated timeframe to be considered for placement. Students will be hand-scheduled for this course by the instructor.