Educational careers, including teaching, can often be stressful jobs but also have the potential to be quite rewarding. It’s always impressive when some of our district’s youngest students show interest in a career in education.
That’s why Tecumseh Public Schools is excited to announce funding to help further develop opportunities for students to explore educational careers.
TPS is one of 18 districts in Michigan to receive the Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE program grant. The grant is $15,000 and comes from the Michigan Department of Education.
The EXPLORE program inspires students in grades 6-12 to serve their communities as future educators.
To help grow future Michigan Educators, TPS has been looking for innovative ways to help support middle and high school students interested in education.
This school year, the district started an Educators Rising Club. It’s led by Tecumseh High School teacher Jennifer Spohn and Tecumseh Middle School teacher Jennifer Gentry. The club's goal is to give interested students the necessary exposure to the field of education.
"As a teacher leader, I hope to inspire students and increase interest in the teaching profession,” said Spohn. “In our Educators Rising chapter at the high school, we want to share knowledge and develop skills that will fuel interest in the profession. We are building a collaborative network in our community for students to gain teaching experiences before they leave high school."
TPS has developed partnerships with Siena Heights University and Adrian College teacher preparation programs to help provide learning experiences and opportunities for students to explore teaching careers.
“The grant will help support learning opportunities like field trips to local teacher preparation programs, curriculum to be used in the club, and other experiential opportunities for students to grow interested in the field of education,” said the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment Meghan Way.