A small group of education students convened on the third floor of the M building for the first meeting of the Future Teachers Club to take the next steps toward becoming a licensed educator.
“I always wanted to be a teacher. The future teachers club helped affirm that,” Kelly Thomas, club treasurer said.
With only four members in attendance, the meeting was focused on catching up and going over their first week of classes. Two members discussed the different styles of teaching they noticed and liked in their own professors.
Club advisor Mel Levy asked members to consider why they resonated with those educators, and use them as examples to emulate in their own future teaching careers.
Pedro Pinto, a club member, noted that his professor was extremely passionate about teaching her subject, which made him feel more engaged in the class.
The club has had issues with consistent member attendance, the aftermath of the pandemic making it hard for people to transition back into the classroom.
“It’s been difficult for students that have been transitioning back to campus. I’m hoping to get more help from club students,” Levy said.
“We want to converse and work with people who can give back to their community. Having people who want to show up for the new generation,” Levy said.
Levy had always wanted to be an educator, but when she was in college, there was no club like the Future Teachers Club for her to join.
Between a job, classes, and mandatory volunteer hours for her degree, Levy found it difficult to make time for recreational activities, but she would have made the effort for a club like this.
“I think a lot of people are just nervous, like they come in and see ‘oh there’s only one person here’ and they get nervous, but I think we’re a pretty welcoming bunch,” said Thomas.
Despite the struggle in recruitment, Thomas affirmed that the club had been an especially helpful space during her time at LBCC.
“The club has helped me get more comfortable and meet other teachers. There’s also a lot more opportunities to get help here, like inviting people from other colleges to speak,” Thomas said.
During his fieldwork, Pinto worked with a special education teacher that helped reaffirm his commitment and drive to become an elementary school educator.
“I really liked how that special ed teacher was. Seeing how calm and patient they were with their students was inspiring,” said Pinto
Pinto and Thomas remain optimistic that the challenging task of being a teacher will change for the better in due time.
“I’m hopeful things will change by the time I become a teacher,” Thomas said. “I want to be the type of teacher that students want to come back to.”
Pinto shared his own desire to teach in public schools, due to the increased diversity that can be found in the classroom.
“I want to inspire the next generation,” said Pinto.
Club members hope to improve their numbers at this semester’s Join a Club Day and create a larger network of future teachers and provide the groundwork for their future careers.
For those interested, the next club meeting will be held on Thursday in M-322.