Description of program
This program serves as a resource for students at GCHS who have an expressed interest in pursuing a career in education. Students are provided with knowledge and skills needed for teaching and professional training consultant careers. Courses provide an overview of teaching and learning theories; curriculum development; teaching techniques; instructional resources and the use of technology; types of assessments; classroom management strategies; and ethics and professionalism. The Education and Training Academy focuses on planning, managing, and providing education and training services andrelated learning support services. All parts of the courses are designed to introduce learners to the various careers available within the Education and Training career cluster.
If you are interested in these things, you will like this program
- Hands-on training in Gadsden City Schools classrooms
- Working with elementary and middle school teachers and students
- Mentoring
- Community Service
- Child Development
This program is great preparation for the following careers
- Training and Development Specialist
- Teacher, Postsecondary All Areas
- Graduate Teaching Assistant
- Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School Teachers, including Special Education and Career Technical Teacher
- Adult Literacy, Remedial Education, and GED Teachers and Instructors
- Teacher Assistant
- Education Consultant
- Associate Professor of Higher Education
- Training and Development Manager
- Education Administrator
- Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologist
- Career and School Counselor
- Child, Family, and School Social Worker
- Instructional Coordinator
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- College Dean
- Education Administrator, Preschool and Child Care Center/Program
- Child, Family, and School Social Worker
- Director, Religious Activities and Education
- Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary School teachers, including Special Education Teachers
- Child Care Worker
- Day Care Owner
Available Certifications
ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills (Must pass Reading, Writing, and Mathematics)
Coursework and descriptions
Education and Training: This is a one-credit course that is the prerequisite for all pathways included in
the Education and Training cluster. The course is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a
career in education. Course content includes the organizational structure of education, careers, the role
of the teacher, characteristics of effective teachers, communication skills, the teaching and learning
processes, learning styles, research, characteristics of positive classroom environments, human growth
and development, curriculum development, student characteristics, teaching techniques, learning
activities, educational initiatives, technology, and careers. Observational experiences are a required
component of this course.
Teaching I: This is a one-credit course and the prerequisite for it is Education and Training. Content
includes information to help students implement the teaching and learning processes. Major topics are
funding sources, budget preparations, legal aspects, research, teaching and learning theories, curriculum
development, positive learning environments, creative teaching techniques, appropriate learning
activities, instructional resources, community resources and services, scope and sequence charts, course
outlines, lesson plans, testing, grading, developing partnerships, technology, and careers. School-based
laboratory experiences are essential for students to develop skills in teaching. Observational experiences
are a required component of this course.
Teaching II: This is a one-credit course and the prerequisite for it is Teaching I. Content provides
students with advanced knowledge and skills used in the education field. Concepts of legal aspects of
education, instructional resources, motivation, types of assessments, constructing texts, positive
learning environments, lesson planning and teaching for various areas and grades, reading level of
instructional materials, classroom management strategies, partnerships, public relations, professional
associations, technology, and careers are included in the course. Observational experiences are a required component of this course.
Education and Training Internship: This is a one-credit course for students who have completed
Teaching II, Early Childhood Education II, Professional Support Services in Education, or Educational
Leadership courses. It is for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the education field. The
internship allows students to spend time in a classroom or school setting on a regular basis with a
teacher within the school system who teaches the subject-matter area of interest to the student intern,
a staff member in the appropriate professional support services area, or a principal or vice-principal.
This course provides students with a context in which they can make a personal assessment of their
commitment to pursue a teaching, professional support services, or educational leadership career. The
school-based laboratory for the internship is an actual classroom or school that provides instruction in
the subject-matter area or career area related to the student’s interest.
Here’s something else that makes this coursework exciting
Students may get to go on field trips with their class or assist at school fun or field days. Students also
get to help students in the classes to which they are assigned to achieve their goals.
Students in this program will be placed in classrooms within the Gadsden City Schools System to
accumulate their observation hours. During their internship coursework, students will be placed in a
classroom setting on a regular basis.
For more information on this program
Contact the program director, Terri Chumley Jenkins, tjenkins@gadsdencityschools.org
