to teach

By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Mike Austin, 16, sits in front of a room of attentive second-graders at Bonham Elementary School reading and displaying pictures in "The Emperor Penguin's New Clothes."
All 7- and 8-year-olds eyes' are pinned on their young instructor.
Mike is one of 11 juniors and seniors from across Trumbull County enrolled in Trumbull Career and Technical Center's Career Paths to the Teaching Profession. This marks the first year of the course aimed at preparing students to enter college in pursuit of a teaching career.
"It's not as easy as it sometimes seems," said Mike, a junior from Mineral Ridge High School.
He's learned about different learning styles.
"Some people don't like to be lectured to," Mike said. "They want to be more hands-on."
Mike first thought he wanted to teach secondary math, but being around younger children prompted him to consider a career teaching them as well.
"There's a lot of excitement at the elementary level," he said. "They're excited to learn."
How it began
Diane Jamieson, a TCTC supervisor, initiated the program after seeing the success of a program in Lorain County.
Because of a teacher shortage for some school districts in the area, Jamieson thought it would be an asset in Trumbull County.
"For many small, rural schools and urban schools, there's a shortage already, and it's only going to get worse as my generation retires," Jamieson said.
Instructor Patti Krivosh works with the students two days per week from about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. She covers learning styles, deadlines and long-term projects.
They also prepare a portfolio, similar to what's required of graduating college students, compiling their experiences.
When students graduate, they're prepared to enter college pursuing their teaching careers.
"Some students have already realized that they don't want to be teachers," Krivosh said.
But Jamieson adds that the preparation provided by Krivosh works well for a student in pursuit of any degree.
Targets of course
In designing the course, Jamieson targeted students who already know they want to be teachers and others who may not. They're exposed to different grade levels and rural, urban and suburban districts.
"At TCTC, half the staff people didn't plan to be teachers," she said.
They started in their field and came to teaching later.
"I'm surrounded by people who have become wonderful teachers from a different venue," Jamieson said. "We're trying to awaken an interest in people who don't realize they want to be teachers."
The teaching profession has changed in recent years, with requirements to pass a test, called the Praxis, at three stages to obtain a license. The Career Paths to the Teaching Profession also helps to prepare students for those tests.
Impressive work
Kristin Danko, the second-grade teacher in whose class Mike teaches, said she's impressed with the 16-year-old's adjustment in front of students. One girl who will be recognized next week for her performance in Danko's class asked Mike to be her "special person" who passes out a treat and reads to the class because her mother can't attend.
"That just brings a smile to my face," Mike said.