Interested in Becoming a Teacher?
Introduction to Teaching is designed for high school students who
are interested in teaching at the elementary, middle, or high school
level. Students gain a comprehensive overview of teaching and
learning while exploring the practices, responsibilities, and
experiences that shape the profession of education.
What You'll Explore
Teaching & Learning Practices
Explore instructional practices and the ways teachers support
student learning in the classroom.
Assessment
Learn about assessments and the role they play in measuring
learning and informing classroom instruction.
Academic Standards
Examine state-assigned standards and how they influence
curriculum, instruction, and student learning.
Child & Adolescent Development
Study how children and adolescents develop and how development
affects learning and classroom practice.
History of Education
Explore the history and development of schools and education
in the United States.
Behavior Management
Examine behavior-management systems and strategies used to
create productive learning environments.
Social & Cultural Influences
Consider the social and cultural influences that shape
students, schools, classrooms, and education.
Lesson Planning
Learn how teachers organize instruction and develop lessons
designed to support student learning.
The Teaching Profession
Gain a broader understanding of the responsibilities,
expectations, and opportunities involved in a teaching career.
College & Career Readiness
Preparing for Life Beyond High School
Throughout the school year, students develop college and career
readiness skills in reading, writing, speaking, and presenting.
These skills are strengthened through both independent work and
collaborative classroom experiences.
Students also visit two college campuses that
offer strong teaching programs, giving them an opportunity to
learn more about their options after high school.
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Presenting
Collaboration
College Exploration
What You'll Do
1
Read Education Texts
Read and understand complex education materials,
including textbooks and articles.
2
Write Critically
Respond to readings and ideas through journal prompts,
response papers, essays, and other organized writing.
3
Present to the Class
Develop confidence and communication skills through
presentations on a variety of topics throughout the year.
4
Research Education Topics
Research issues and topics in education and create
multimedia presentations to share with classmates.
5
Create & Present a Lesson
Design a lesson plan and present the lesson to the class.
6
Evaluate Peer Lessons
Evaluate and critique lesson plans created and presented
by classmates.
7
Develop Your Educational Philosophy
Reflect on your own beliefs about teaching and learning
and write a personal Philosophy of Education.
8
Build a Teaching Portfolio
Collect and organize your work into a teaching portfolio
completed by the end of the school year.
Major Course Projects
Lesson Plan
Design, organize, and present an original lesson to your peers.
Philosophy of Education
Develop a written statement that reflects your personal
beliefs about teaching and learning.
Teaching Portfolio
Create a portfolio highlighting your work, learning,
and growth throughout the course.
Explore a Future in Education
Introduction to Teaching gives students an opportunity to examine
education from a teacher's perspective while building the academic,
professional, and communication skills needed for college and a
future career in education.