Having a strong resume and a confident interview that will prepare our future K-12 teachers for entering the workforce was the main focus of workshops hosted by the Future Teachers Club at Long Beach City College on May 3.
As part of the LB College Promise Educational Pathway, an education initiative that includes the Long Beach School District, LBCC, and California State University Long Beach, LBCC created an AA-T program for students who aspire to be a K-12 teacher.
With the help of the Future Teachers Club, guest speakers participated in the Annual Future Teachers Club Day to help students work on new techniques being applied to teaching and career exploration.
The students included were from LBCC, Jordan High School, and CSULB which helped to create a networking and mentorship environment.
Brad Pollak, from America’s small business development center network, gave the students tips on what should be included in their interviews and resumes when applying for a teaching job.
Coordinator for the Future Teachers Club Day Megan Klapinsky shed some light on how important this program is for future teachers.
“Our goal is that once a year or more we get together the Jordan High School in Long Beach, the LBCC Future Teachers Club, and the CSULB College of Education students who all want to pursue teaching at various stages on their pathway. We’re trying to unite the institutions to make a little bit of a mentorship opportunity so students feel comfortable knowing all about the two colleges they can attend … So we’re working on that partnership for the Long Beach College promise,” Klapinsky said.
The guest speakers and counselors helped the students focus on an education plan that will work best for their individual needs and also discussed the students goals.
LBCC student Fabiola Rojas said, “It was always something I wanted to do ever since actually being in elementary school. I imagined myself being a teacher, after a few years I didn’t really embrace it at first but then I did and I figured out that’s actually what I wanted to do.”
Students had the opportunity to network during the provided lunch following the first workshop.