Student teachers face emotional partings

Lauren Hopkins – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- The Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Early Childhood Education (ECE) program is popular among students. However, seniors who have been in the program for four years are now going through a bittersweet period. They work with teachers and preschoolers from local day cares, and know that their time in the program is coming to an end.

Tori Strickland is one senior going through this emotional time.

Strickland has been in the early childhood program for four years and originally went into it because she thought it was a unique concept and a rare opportunity that not all schools offer.

“I have always loved working with children and watching them catch on and learn new concepts that you are responsible for teaching them,” she said, “I take pride in knowing I’m making a difference in the world by positively influencing future generations.

“If my first career choice does not work out-becoming a veterinarian-then I would love to pursue being an early childhood care worker; I’ve fallen that much in love with the program,” Strickland continued.

Strickland added that everyone she has meet and worked with in the program is incredibly kind and has helped her learn so much about the skills needed to take care of children. Her favorite part is getting to actually work with the kids and now being submerged into a real childhood development environment as she goes to various elementary schools and assists the teachers there.

“I believe anyone given the opportunity to be a part of this program should definitely take advantage of it,” she said, “I encourage anyone interested in children’s education to take part in this great opportunity and be thankful for it. I genuinely can’t think of anything bad that has emerged from doing this, only good things.”

Strickland explained that the transition from classroom to actively going out to other early childcare facilities has surprisingly been an easy transition thanks to the great teachers here on campus.

“I am happy with the decision I made to take on the ECE program and am grateful that I have learned so much from it. I will miss this class a lot next year for I will miss seeing and being around all of the amazing people, both teachers and students, I’ve meet through ECE,” Strickland said.

Senior Kaili Easton described her journey stating, “I like doing art with the kids and seeing all the creative things they can come up with. I wanted to get involved in the program because I’ve loved working with kids ever since I started in middle school.”

She added, “My outside experience as being a babysitter and volunteering at preschools has helped tremendously. I really enjoy working with all the teachers as well as Mrs. [ECE instructor Elaine] Bowling and the Mini-Mustangs. I’ve been in this for three years now and It’s a great experience. Even if you don’t want to pursue a career in child care, it’s good to obtain all this knowledge about how to care for children.”