TCCHS students who serve at (l) Cross Creek Elementary and (r) Garrison Pilcher Elementary.

Not every aspiring teacher has the chance for hands on experience while still in high school. A group of Thomas County Central High School students has just such an opportunity with the Future Teacher Internship program. “This is going to be a great experience,” said participant Madelyn Griner. “I will get a chance to be a teacher and see what they go through.  I feel like I will get to be close with the kids and the teacher I will work with.”

This year’s participants are 16 students from Mrs. Cindy Carnes and Mrs. Amy Smith’s Early Childhood Education classes. They are completing their career pathway through the classes while receiving credits that can apply to their college degree. The students, all females, signed contracts of commitment this month. Eight students are at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School, while the remaining eight are at Cross Creek Elementary School. “They are assigned to a classroom and have the privilege of working under a certified teacher that can mentor them and prepare them for their future career,” said Mrs. Cindy Carnes. “They serve our schools by running small groups, reading to students and assisting with other duties assigned by the teacher. Thank you to both schools for providing this opportunity for our students.” Participants are excited about the opportunity. “I am excited, beyond excited really, to go to Cross Creek and help out,” said McKayla Smith. “I can’t wait to see what the children are like and how much they’ll progress throughout the year.” Shikeriya Davis expects “to see lots of happy faces and hard-working children.” “I hope they will love me as much as I would love them,” she said. Although participants are all female this year, Carnes stressed males are more than welcome to be part of the program. She anticipates some male students will participate next year. Carnes added this internship program is beneficial for a new club at TCCHS, the Future Educators Association, or FEA, which “is built around the idea of raising up future teachers from our own community.” “Our goal with our PREP Academy Early Childhood Education Program is to see our students go to college, study to be teachers and then come back to teach in our own system,” she said.