The teaching academy course and internship experiences
allow students to have the opportunity to join our partnering
national student organization, Educators Rising. This
organization was created for aspiring teachers to connect with
peers and experts across the country focusing on education.
The organization travels to district conferences to network
with other districts in Missouri, as well as, the chance to travel
to national conferences. They work with others in the
community to support families in the area and seek out
opportunities to learn from local professionals.
“The teaching academy is a great opportunity for aspiring
education majors.” Pycior added. “How exciting to think that
one day in the future the students we mentor could be one of
our colleagues in the Nixa.”
NHS Teacher
Academy
In order to help expose more students at Nixa to a career in
teaching, Nixa has started a new teaching academy. The
academy is a year-long dual credit course offered at Nixa High
School through Missouri State University. The course is
designed to provide Nixa students who have a passion for
education and an opportunity to understand what it means to
be an educator. The teaching academy shines light on our pre-
K through 8th grade classes.
This course is giving students over 50 hours of on-site
experience with some of the best teachers in the Nixa Public
Schools. The academy students gain experience in classroom
management, class procedures, lesson planning and
implementation, collaboration, teamwork, and observing and
reflecting on the field of education.
“I feel like I would have severely missed out if this class was
not available. It has made me want to be a teacher even more,
and it is the highlight of my week,” explains Brianna Gomez,
senior.
Stephanie Pycior, who leads the program, stated, “If we are
going to bring teachers to Nixa, what a great opportunity for
us to grow our own and to have these students learn from our
best. They actually want to come back to Nixa as a
professional educator."
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