Aspiring Teachers Find Their Niche At NHS

By Eliza Hallabeck

Members of the Future Teachers of America at Newtown High School recognized Dr Seuss’s birthday on Tuesday, March 2, by reading to students in the school’s Nurtury program.

To prepare for the day, which nationally celebrated the author’s birthday with a program called Read Across America, members of the group prepared to read their chosen book with plans for the Nurtury students.

The day was one of many programs designed introduce the members of the group to teaching.

Freshman Sheridan Marmo said she has known since fifth grade that she wanted to be a teacher.

“I had some really awesome teachers,” she said, “and I decided, since they inspired me, I wanted to inspire other people, too.”

The group meets twice a month, and the members also set up a contact teacher in the district to volunteer time outside of the time spent in the meetings.

As advisor to the program, Kristin Violette said the Future Teachers group has been happening at NHS for about four to five years. Students in the group, she said, are motivated and volunteer time in classrooms outside of the group’s meetings.

Senior Kelly Burton said she joined the three years ago, and everything the group does is fun.

“I like working with younger kids,” said Kelly, “so I thought it was a good idea to join.”

Fellow senior Devon Miles said she also enjoys working with kids. She joined the group because she is thinking of going into counseling for a career.

Members volunteer in classrooms across the district each week and report back to the group during the two monthly meetings. Each student approaches a teacher, and works with that teacher to further the student’s understanding of the profession.

Other activities planned for the group include a panel of teachers to talk about their job.