NEWS

High school students recently visited the College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS), learning from the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership (CIL) and experiencing a career in education at the annual Engage Education event.

What makes Engage Education unique is the opportunity for junior and senior high school students to hear directly from teacher candidates who are preparing for careers in education.

“Our goal is to work with our local school districts to help grow their own population of future teachers and to engage students with the idea of what it would look like to be a teacher in the future,” Dr. Dustin Whitlock, CIL interim department chair, said.

Unlike traditional classroom discussions led by professors, these workshops provide a firsthand perspective on the transition to college, student life, and the path to becoming an educator.

Emma Jane Reeves, a CIL teacher candidate, shared her thoughts on the impact Engage Education had on both the volunteers and visiting students.

“It’s fun to engage with students who are interested in becoming educators and to facilitate lessons that give them a glimpse into what we do,” Reeves said. “This gives them a hands-on experience, allowing them to see how we learn to teach and develop the skills needed to be effective in the classroom.”

The CIL department provides aspiring educators with the support and resources they need to succeed, creating an environment where future teachers feel valued and prepared for the classroom. Haynes Mandino, a teacher at Minden High School and Louisiana Tech graduate, experienced this firsthand and emphasized the importance of guiding students toward the teaching profession.

“Teaching, especially in public education, is becoming a less popular career choice, which is why it’s so important to show students that becoming an educator is a viable and rewarding option,” Mandino said. “The most valuable part of Engage Education is helping students understand their options and the steps required to become an educator in today’s world. During my time in the CIL department, I felt supported — everyone was incredibly helpful and always willing to answer questions, which made the journey to becoming a teacher feel less overwhelming.”

As the demand for educators continues to grow, it’s more important than ever to show students that a career in teaching is both attainable and rewarding.

For Minden High School student Josh Davis, hearing the teacher candidates was eye-opening and challenged him to reflect on his own strengths and aspirations in pursuing a teaching career.

“Learning from college students in the program gave me a whole new perspective on teaching,” Davis said. “Without hearing directly from them, I wouldn’t really know what the experience at Tech is like. Now, I feel much more confident about pursuing a career in education.”

Students who enrolled in the CIL department and attended the event had the opportunity to win scholarships, including a $1,000 award from CEHS and two $500 scholarships provided by the CEHS Office of Admissions.

“When school districts send students to Engage Education, they’re not only giving them a glimpse into the teaching profession but also introducing us to future educators who represent their communities and the rich diversity within education,” Whitlock said. “It’s exciting to watch these students discover the opportunities available to them through an education at Louisiana Tech.”