Southeastern invites high school students to experience teacher prep
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University's Department of Teaching and Learning will host STAR (Students Teaching and Reaching) Shadow Day on campus this fall during Homecoming Week. Scheduled for Oct. 23, the event invites area students who are enrolled in STAR education courses at area high schools to experience college as an education major for a day, and earn course credit at the same time.
"The STAR Program provides high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to learn about teaching as a career through one-credit courses offered at their high schools," said Susan Sawyer, Southeastern teaching and learning instructor and coordinator of the event.
She said the Louisiana Department of Education has developed a curriculum that not only gives students a glimpse into the teaching profession, but also, under the proper guidelines, can be used for college credit in the field of education. STAR I and now STAR II have both been approved and are being taught in approximately 50 high schools across the state.
Participants in STAR Shadow Day will begin their day on campus with a welcome from the department's Beth Berry, undergraduate coordinator; Cindy Elliott, interim department head; and Shirley Jacob, interim dean.
"Participating students are given the opportunity to visit college classes in the Department of Teaching and Learning to experience college life at Southeastern," added Sawyer. "This fall, attendees will be able to attend Gumbo Ya Ya as part of Southeastern's Homecoming Week celebration. The Office of Admissions will also provide the students, teachers and chapterones with a campus tour."
Schools participating in this year's event include Fontainebleau, Zachary, Destrehan and Hahnville high schools.
Sawyer said the department invites all schools in the service region with STAR programs in their high schools. Those involved in area STAR programs that would like to attend future STAR Shadow Day events can call 985-549-2221 to request information on future events.
