Whether they are looking to become a teacher or just revisiting their elementary roots, about 75 Massapequa High School students are having a meaningful experience as instructors in the Junior Achievement High School Heroes program.
Throughout March and April, the sophomores, juniors and seniors are paired with second grade classes at the six elementary schools. They teach full-day lessons on careers, community and financial literacy. This is the 18th year the program has taken place in the district and continues because of its ongoing success.
School-to-Career Coordinator Denise DeLury said that process begins with announcements at the high school, followed by a meeting for interested students. Once they sign up and form their teaching teams, assignments are given out. During training sessions, the high school students learn the different units and review classroom management techniques. Before entering the second grade classrooms, each group is encouraged to meet on their own to review the lessons and plan the activities.
Many of the participants go back to their former elementary schools, while others prioritize working closely with friends. Ms. DeLury explained that a lot of students who sign up aspire to be teachers or work in other child-centered careers.
“This gives them an opportunity before they go to college to get into a classroom and see if it’s something they want to pursue,” she said. “They get a hands-on experience before they make the decision.”
Additionally, Ms. DeLury said, the high school students get to see both aspects of teaching – leading a classroom and behind-the-scenes preparation.
High School Heroes is done in second grade because the units aligns closely with the social studies curriculum. Among the skills it reinforces are collaboration, decision-making and problem-solving. The second graders learn about different jobs within a typical community, the differences between goods and services, and how money flows.
Junior Briana M. was assigned to the Birch Lane Elementary School classroom of her former second grade teacher, Michele Montefusco. She had the joy of teaching her younger sister, Mackenzie.
Briana, who is thinking about becoming a teacher or a pediatric nurse, valued the experience that High School Heroes provided.
“I like working with the kids,” she said, adding that they listened well and were very respectful.