San Angelo ISD High School Students in the Teaching and Training Pathway Learn The Importance of Literacy

Central High School and Lake View High School students in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teaching and Training pathway recently visited Abilene, Texas to experience the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL), a museum dedicated to exhibiting, collecting, preserving and promoting the original artwork from children’s literature. The goal of the trip was for our students to make connections to children’s literature and gain insights into developing and instilling a love for reading into kids. 

“I hope the students learned that literacy sets the foundation for most of the learning that takes place throughout our lives, and as educators, we should always strive to provide those positive feelings of association to what we do,” said Lake View High School Career and Technical Education teacher Brittany Sanchez regarding the trip. 

The trip to the NCCIL brought students the opportunity to work with NCCIL Director Anna McKay who modeled great teaching strategies and conveyed things these future teachers can use in their classrooms with their future students. One of the most memorable moments of the trip included seeing the storybook park sculpture garden to see childhood book characters come to life. Central High School CTE Teacher Scarlet Rodriguez reflected on those moments with her students saying, “I always hope they get this Aha! moment of remembering the characters we see at the storybook park. And happily, it happens every time! We talk about how that feeling of nostalgia about seeing their favorite characters “in real life” is the tie to childhood that reading gives and what a powerful feeling that is to give to a generation of students.” 

While students toured the exhibits, they also had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Farrah Gomez, SAISD Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer, and Dr. Jason Skelton, SAISD Executive Director of Human Resources, to discuss paths toward becoming an educator after high school including attending a college or university, the Texas Two Step partnership with Angelo State University and Howard College, and opportunities to work at the district while obtaining their certification through Heartwell. 

San Angelo ISD offers a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teaching and Training pathway for our high school students aspiring to be educators to prepare for careers related to teaching, instruction and creation of instructional and enrichment materials. This CTE pathway is also designed to familiarize students with the processes for developing curriculum, coordinating education content and coaching groups and individuals. With four level courses beginning with “Principles of Education and Training” and culminating in the “Practicum in Education and Training” in-classroom teaching experience, students have the opportunity to build a foundation of understanding and hands-on experience. As part of the Teaching and Training pathway, our students also have the opportunity to participate in the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) student leadership organizations within our CTE courses created to allow young men and women an opportunity to explore the teaching profession.

San Angelo ISD is proud to build up our future educators, support the hopes and dreams of our students and celebrate all the ways they are smart. CTE Teaching and Training Pathway is just one more way- with rippling effects to help further the important work of public education. 

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