Among the wide variety of classes that Spartanburg High School offers, students are given a multitude of different opportunities to learn skills, languages and other tools to use in the future. Among these options, Teacher Cadet prevails as one of the most popular options among students, paving the way for the future by creating a wave of potential educators. The class is offered as a dual-enrollment credit, working with the University of South Carolina Upstate to provide students with the highest level of experience possible. Cadets learn a plethora of different concepts related to education and are given the opportunity to show their knowledge in a cooperating classroom where they are mentored in the field.
Angela Eaton has been Spartanburg High’s Teacher Cadet instructor for nine years and is excited to pave the way for the next generation of educators to thrive.
“Leading a motivated and bright group of students like those in Teacher Cadet is always inspiring to me as a teacher, because it reminds me of the true reasons a person decides to go into education as a career. We need more positive and enthusiastic young people who want to make a difference in this world, and Teacher Cadet offers a wonderful opportunity to get a head start on this mission,” Eaton said.
Teacher Cadets begin the course learning about the essentials of becoming a teacher, including the different fields of education, potential obstacles in the classroom and traits necessary to be a successful teacher. This aspect of the course is done in a variety of different ways ranging from videos explaining the concepts to Teacher Cadets doing hands-on exercises to discover the concepts themselves. This section of the course sets the basis of what will be necessary for Cadets to thrive when they are put into their cooperating classrooms.
Laney Brothers (12) is in a kindergarten cooperating classroom at Pine Street Elementary School and has learned a lot about what it takes to become a teacher.
“I love Teacher Cadet. It has really shown me how fun being a teacher can be and has allowed me to gain even more respect for teachers,” Brothers said.
After learning key concepts in education in their Teacher Cadet classroom, students move onto the second stage of the class as they move to various classrooms in District 7, including Jesse Boyd Elementary School, Pine Street Elementary School and Drayton Mills Elementary School. Cadets are placed in a classroom based on their choice of grade level, ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, and what school they’d like to be located at. Beginning in February and ending in late March, Cadets spend almost two full months beginning four days out of the week in their cooperating classrooms. During their time in the classroom, Cadets learn first-hand how to lead and work with students, gaining invaluable experience that can be used to help with potential career choices or simply change their perspective on educational instructors. Cadets also work with their mentor teacher in the classroom to create a lesson plan for their students, leading the class unaccompanied.
Kam Jennings (11) is in a fourth grade cooperating classroom at Drayton Mills and has really enjoyed learning about teaching and himself from the class.
“Teacher Cadet is a wonderful class that has helped me make new friends. Thanks to Mrs. Eaton, the class has brought me out of my comfort zone and has helped to make me a better communicator and work better with my peers,” Jennings said.
