Fair Grove’s FTA (Future Teachers of America) is a club that gives students that want to pursue education as a career and the opportunity for a head start in learning how to be an educator.
FTA often will help with the planning and executing of special events in the elementary and middle school. The most recent event that the club helped with was Grandparent’s day, an elementary event where students brought their grandparents to the school and spent half of the day together. Grandparents for Pre-K through First Grade students spent the first half of the day together and second through fourth graders Grandparents spent the second half of the day together. Gracie Crandall, the secretary of FTA, explained how this was one of the ways that the club is useful. Crandall said, “We helped teachers who needed an extra hand. Grandparent’s day can be pretty chaotic, so they appreciated the extra help!”
FTA members are given several opportunities to learn more about teaching. Sophia Brumfield explained what her personal favorite event that FTA plans is the job shadowing day. Brumfield said, “Something I always look forward to is job shadowing. If you are a Junior or Senior in FTA, during the second semester we get to pick a teacher to job shadow all day.” There are several more opportunities that FTA members are given such as taking a day off during the second semester to explore the education department for their college of choice.
Sponsor for FTA, Nikki Kisling, explains how there is a class offered to Seniors for Cadet Teaching. Kisling explained how this class can prepare students to be put into the mindset of being a teacher. Kisling said, “In that class, students get to create and teach lesson plans along with various activities that get them thinking about what it would be like as a teacher.”
According to Brumfield, FTA is currently trying to expand its number of members. Brumfield explained that FTA is open to anyone and everyone. Brumfield stated, “It is super easy to join FTA. Just show up to a meeting and pay your $5 dues!”
FTA will meet again on December 10th, 2024.
