If you have a child in school, you may have been invited to visit their class for a teach-in.
That’s when community members become honorary teachers for a day, educating students about their careers. A lot of teach-ins in Central Florida happen this week, but Lake Silver Elementary opted to hold their teach-in last week.
“Our students are amazing,” said Maryann Hutcheson, the school’s media specialist and Teach-In organizer. “They’re like little sponges. They love having guests and learning new things, and today gives them a great opportunity to see what’s out there for them to do in life.”
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Hutcheson coordinated the event and worked with teachers to ensure students were prepared to make the most of the experience. “Part of what I do is prep the teachers to prep their students, so they know to be good listeners,” she explained. “I want them to think about deep questions to ask, and hopefully you found that they had some good ones.”
A Day of Inspiration
The teach-In brought a diverse lineup of presenters, including police officers, firefighters, athletes, dentists, sustainability advocates, and even News 6, offering students a realistic look at different career possibilities.
Students had the chance to meet basketball players and coaches from Edgewater High School, which Hutcheson likened to celebrities walking the halls.
“The dentist was a big hit too,” she added. “The kids loved it. And we also had people talking about sustainability, even getting the kids into the garden to learn about the environment.”
Hutcheson says it’s important for kids to realize they have choices.
“When I was growing up, there was basically one path,” Hutcheson explained. “You went to high school, finished college, and then got a job. But today, kids have so many options, and they need to see that.”
Celebrating Education
For Hutcheson, the event is a reminder of the passion and dedication within the education system.
“There are so many hardworking teachers who love what they do and love their kids,” she said. “And we’re honored to guide our students through their educational journey, giving them their start.”
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