Education Academy Spotlight

Written by: Lawrencian Staff

At Lawrence High School, the Education Career Academy is already making a meaningful impact. Advised by Ms. Tara Huber, this academy is designed for students interested in exploring all careers in the field of education, ranging from classroom teaching to specialized support roles.

Although the Academy has a smaller enrollment compared to other Career Academies, its members are accomplishing big things. So far this year, students created personal vision boards and set long-term goals for their futures. They also began brainstorming passion projects that they will continue developing over the next few years. Each project focuses on a topic related to education and may grow into a campaign or program that reflects students’ personal interests and career aspirations.

In the weeks to come, the Education Academy is also planning to visit a school outside of the district to observe different educational environments and career paths. These visits will allow students to see firsthand how schools operate and how various professionals contribute to student success.

Meetings are held during Resource several times a month to research careers, discuss degree requirements, explore salaries and daily responsibilities, and learn about potential career pathways. As the second half of the school year begins, Ms. Huber shared that “We are excited to start the process of recruiting new members as we move towards the next application process.”

For sophomore Kayla Williams, the Academy has strengthened her interest in teaching secondary-level English and history. “Soon, we are going to another school to shadow and learn from other teachers as they teach and interact with children,” she said. Kayla appreciates learning about degree requirements, skill sets, and career options. Her favorite part? “The frequent meetings we hold. Everyone is very kind, and we all share a similar goal. That allows us to talk about our hopes and learnings, which helps me figure out what I want to pursue.”

Sophomore Mackenzie Byrnes is interested in becoming an occupational therapist, ideally working with children in a school setting. She values how the Academy is planning field trips that will give her opportunities to meet professionals in her desired field. “My favorite moment so far has been being able to connect with people,” Mackenzie said. “Since the Education Academy has the least members out of the other academies, it has allowed us to become a close-knit group.”

The Education Career Academy at Lawrence High School may be small in numbers, but it is driven by big goals and passionate students. As recruitment begins for the next application process, the Education Academy looks forward to growing its community of future educators and education professionals who are ready to make a difference.