Teaching Together: The teacher’s education class offers students the opportunity to gain real teaching experience

Entering the colorful elementary school classroom, sophomore Zella Handzel is immediately greeted by a small hand holding a crayon drawing of boba tea — her favorite drink. The hand belongs to a fourth-grade student at Belinder Elementary School, where Handzel goes every Wednesday and Friday during seventh hour. 

“On the first day that I shadowed, [the kids] asked me what my favorite drink was, and I said it was boba,” Handzel said. “So this little girl drew one two weeks later, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, she remembered!’”

Handzel is one of many students enrolled in the teacher’s ed program — a class, started a few years ago, by English teacher Samantha Feinberg. It’s designed to teach students the basics of becoming a teacher through instruction and hands-on experience at SM East feeder schools.

“I've always wanted to do an in-house teaching program,” Feinberg said. “I just [needed] to bring the program to East. So it took about two or three years of trying before we got the program up and running with enough students to actually have a class, and, as of now, we’re full.”

The class provides a unique opportunity for students to experience teaching as a high school student without the pressure of committing to it as a long-term job, according to junior Ava Murray.

“I've known for a while that [teaching] would be something I'd want to do, and I think that [teacher’s ed] is a great opportunity to see what it's like, and if I actually want to do it,” Murray said. “It's also a good way to see what grade I would like to teach.”

The class gives students a chance to learn what teaching is like while preparing them for scenarios that may happen in a classroom.

“In class, we talk about classroom management, what guides teaching philosophy, working with students with special needs, fair grading, how to engage students, how to get the class's attention and how to build relationships for your students,” Feinberg said. 

Not only does the class provide real-world experiences and a unique curriculum, but it’s also an enjoyable experience that brings high school students and children together, according to Handzel. 

“I've gotten really close with my fourth graders and my teacher; it has really brought me into thinking I want to be a teacher in my future career,” Handzel said. “And especially the little experiences I have with [the elementary kids], they make my day every day.”