Lincoln East High School has added a brand new education and teaching class into their offered courses for the 2025 school year. It is currently taught third period and falls under the Family and Consumer Science department. Its main purpose is to give teenagers a taste of what a life of teaching would be like. With the shortage of teachers, this class provides students with an opportunity to explore teaching as a career, and has had positive reviews from both the teacher and students.
Anne Daly, who teaches the class, aims to give students an opportunity to experience different types of educational occupations. The curriculum consists of units dedicated to early education, elementary education, and secondary education. The last unit is about exceptional learners, which looks deeper into special education and gifted programs. During this class, students get to be part of some hands-on learning experiences, like visiting different schools, as well as practicum opportunities.
“Our goal is to give the kids a couple opportunities to get out of the classroom and see some different teachers,” Daly said. “Whether it’s eventually inside or outside of the building, at elementary schools, or middle schools, it just helps so they can get an idea.”
Though it’s difficult teaching a brand new class, it has provided Daly with the opportunity to experiment with certain aspects of the curriculum. For example, she hopes to get some guest speakers for the class. She has already contacted several individuals that work at LPS, as well as teachers inside of the East building. In the future they will also offer an advanced education and teaching option, to go more in depth about certain educational topics, as well as offer more practicum opportunities.
“I’m still learning it, but I’ve been excited,” Daly said. “I think it’s a good idea. We know there’s a massive teacher shortage, and a shortage in childcare and early education, so I think that if we can get kids some experiences and opportunities to dip into before they commit to it in college, it would be a good idea.”
Daly wants the students to understand that there are a multitude of educational positions, and that doesn’t necessarily mean being a teacher. Committing to a degree in college can also seem intimidating and scary, so Daly hopes to eliminate some of those fears by allowing students to test out what teaching would be like. Like most non-required classes at East, this new class is supposed to provide students with a way to find what interests them career wise. Essentially, students get to try out teaching, but without the pressure of calling it a degree.
Natalie Diekmann, a senior at East, also supports this new class. She believes that it’s helpful for students looking to get a degree in education. She herself dreams of becoming an elementary school teacher. Diekmann also likes the types of assignments they do because it’s more project focused, rather than just notes and lectures.
“We do a lot of project stuff,” Diekmann said. “We just did one where we researched how different types of daycares and preschools affect how kids learn.”
Besides their most recent project, they have also discussed how reading books to children can be beneficial. Part of that unit has involved reading children books themselves. Diekmann talks about their upcoming plans to make children toys to help them connect with younger kids.
This education and teaching class is a great way to test out a job in education, as well as learn more about the different aspects of teaching. If this class interests you, make sure to let your counselor know so you can be a part of it for the 2026 school year.
