Educators Rising Program Provides Teaching Experiences To Fridley Students

From Fridley Public Schools:

March 12, 2020

As Fridley schools prepare students for college and career, a group of high schoolers is taking part in a program that offers a real-life glimpse into the world of teaching.

Through a partnership with Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD), the Educators Rising program introduces students to the teaching profession, and provides education-related job shadow opportunities to students at participating schools. Fridley High School (FHS) students who are interested in becoming teachers took part in a job shadowing experience on February 12, 2020. Our students had a choice of visiting either an elementary or Montessori preschool in the Elk River school district.

The mission of Educators Rising is to provide opportunities for education career exploration to students who are interested in teaching. The program provides students with authentic opportunities to experience teaching, resources that integrate directly into academic programs, and skills they need to be successful educators.

Susan Samaha, district Equity & Inclusion Coordinator and co-advisor of Educators Rising, said she feels the program provides a rare chance for students to engage with teachers in meaningful mentorships. “This is giving them an opportunity to hear from and connect with people in that profession,” Samaha said. “They shadowed what they wanted to experience, so it really gave them an opportunity to see and experience something that was previously just a thought.”

Charles Rice, a junior, explained several Fridley faculty members have inspired him to consider teaching. “I have looked up to a lot of coaches and teachers and mentors,” Rice said. “So for me to have an impact on a kid's life, and for them to be the future of our world, I think it'll be very rewarding for me.”

Senior Yamilethzy Acosta-Acosta similarly recognized her Fridley teachers as inspiration. She has already been accepted at six colleges and is currently leaning toward St. Thomas University in Saint Paul. “Mr. Nalepka does so much for his AVID class. It's like we are his second family,” Acosta-Acosta said. “And Ms. Greenhalgh has been inspiring because of the way she interacts with her students. I’m able to picture myself doing what she is doing.”

NWSISD Multicultural Education Program Specialist J. Ayenna Davis works to facilitate the opportunities for students to network with education professionals.

“Students have the opportunity to meet many educators by inviting them to speak at their school meetings and ask questions about how those educators may have entered into their careers,” Davis said. “We also help the students practice the skills they have learned by participating in our annual Giving Voice Student Leadership Conference, done in partnership with the AVID program.”

Participants visit at least one college each year to explore its education program. During the visit, students meet and speak with professors participate in mock classes, meet with the admissions office, and tour the campus.

Senior Rekeya Frazier has already gained a greater appreciation for the work that educators put forth by shadowing them for a day.

“In this career field, you're able to be with children, teach them and create meaningful bonds,” said Frazier.

Frazier plans to attend the Minneapolis School of Art and Design, St. Katherine’s or Minneapolis Community Technical College. She hopes to combine her passion for both design and teaching into a design class for high school students. “I just feel excited for the opportunity I can have and all the lives I can impact,” she said.

Samaha saw the immediate benefit of the shadow day. “They were so truly happy to experience an education career for a day, and it gave them hope that they can be great educators” she said.

This press release was produced by Fridley Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.