High school senior Kodi McMullen is considering a career in teaching, so what better way to test the waters (and her patience) than by taking a class that puts her face to face with her future.
Beginning Tuesday, East Peoria Community High School will once again open its doors to a small group of children who will attend free preschool services at its Children’s Learning Center.
The center is run by six female students taking this semester’s vocational child care class, with help from class teacher Jo Moore.
“I took the class because I love kids,” said McMullen, 18. “I want to be a preschool teacher, and taking this class will help me get a look in on what teachers have to do during their job. Especially with little kids, you have to keep them entertained.”
The center has been integrated into the high school’s curriculum for more than 35 years. This is the first year Moore has headed the center and taught the class.
“We have repeat customers,” Moore said of the preschoolers. “The parents say they really like the program and feel their children are learning. In fact, they wish it was longer.”
McMullen said the past few weeks have been hectic with planning for the children.
“It has really shown me what teachers go through for us, to get ready for us to help us learn,” she said of the experience so far. “It’s so much.”
Since class started in January, the girls have been busy decorating the preschool room with the alphabet, colors, shapes and numbers, in English and Spanish. They will incorporate those wall displays into daily lessons.
“It’s been really, really fun,” McMullen said. “We’re all really excited.”
Using props and posters, the teachers-in-training will try their luck at keeping their little students interested for 70 minutes a day, four times a week. Six children already are enrolled in the seven-week preschool class, which serves ages 3 to 5. Several more spots remain open.
Planned lessons include zoo animals, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, how to express feelings and identifying the 50 states.
Student teachers’ lessons have to focus activities, including arts and crafts, science, English and math. Their pupils’ writing, speaking, social, emotional and cognitive learning skills must be put to the test.
“In this class, (the high school students) are learning to teach. This gives them the opportunity to practice what skills they’ll need,” Moore said. “I think it’s beneficial and will give them a head start when they go out to do their student teaching.”
Leslie Williams can be reached at 686-3188 or [email protected]
Read the original article from Journal Star.
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services