Practicum is the final class for students in the education pathway. Counting as two credits hours, students in this track have the opportunity to work in a classroom in the district with younger students.

These students, known as interns, create lesson plans, lead activities, manage the classroom and go on field trips with their elementary students.

“Texas Association of Future Educators, TAFE, it’s what we call a CTSO, career and technical student organization. It’s for anybody who is interested in a career in education,” Counselor and TAFE sponsor Ms. Jessica Taylor said. 

Miss Taylor was the head of the practicum program until this past month when she accepted a position as a campus counselor. Mrs. Jill Hill replaced her. 

“The students go in every week,” Mrs. Hill said. “They stay in one classroom for each school year. They also attend field trips with the kids too,” Mrs. Hill said. 

Senior Mia Stuart is a member of TAFE. She competed at the 2020 state competition and qualified to compete at Nationals in Washington DC this June. 

“This girl set a goal her freshman year to make it to Nationals competing with TAFE and Educators Rising. Words can not express how proud I am of her,” Miss Taylor said.

This is Stuart’s second year to attend nationals.

“I chose a job in the district with the social and emotional learning specialist. I shadowed Mrs. Shari Halpin for eight hours and then built a presentation out of her job,” Stuart said.