A gloomy overcast lingers over the school. Inside the atmosphere is frozen in time. The hallways are deserted. In classrooms students mechanically jot down notes, their attention spans slowly depleting. But tucked unassumingly in the back of the school an unconventional class is taking place.
A small group of students sit attentively as they are given strength tests by Gallup consultants. The teachers oversee the process; students move around the room and participate in a myriad of activities. Chatting, laughing, and learning, the students all have a common goal in mind.
Millard Public Schools’ Education Academy is a two-year program for juniors and seniors that explores careers in the education field. Students are dual-enrolled in high school and college classes and are exposed to the inner workings of the educator life.
“We are having the students develop a really clear, coherent vision of who they are, what they want to do, and how they can put those two things together and be effective teachers,” academy teacher Simon Rohde said.
Rohde, alongside teacher David Diehl, run this unique opportunity for students. Originally the academy was only available at Millard West High School, but a national shortage of teachers prompted the district to open up another site this year.
“If we can get these students into their careers faster and we can develop a strong relationship with them, then that’s going to benefit future Millard North students,” Diehl said.
Currently, fourteen students are attending MN’s site, including students from Millard South and North.
The academy is still offered at the original location, Millard West, to provide better access for students.
For many students in the education academy, teachers have held a significant impact on students’ decisions to pursue educational career routes.
“Without teachers there wouldn’t be police officers or world leaders. The people that inspire those people are teachers, so they’re kind of the heart of every society and being a part of that is really inspiring to me,” junior academy student Garett Johnson said.
Personal experiences with teachers have also influenced participants in the education academy.
“Last year I had a really good teacher, Ms. Ruda, and it was her first year teaching. She was a history teacher and she made me want to become a teacher,” junior academy member Charlie Fought said.
Kids in the academy are exposed to the educational field by partaking in a wide variety of activities, garnering real-life experience related to their future workforce. Some events offered this year include a trip to Millard headquarters, conferences at Educators Rising, and exposure to predominantly Hispanic schools.
“We’re definitely developing a lot of adaptability because we get taught different scenarios of teaching,” junior academy member Tyrus Peacock said.
Education academy students attend their academy courses in the morning and resume regular classes with the rest of their respective high schools in the afternoon. Students and teachers develop a meaningful connection during those academy classes.
“They know we want to be teachers and they are teachers, so they feel where we are; it’s a very strong community in the classroom,” Peacock said.
Having a shared mindset and a positive attitude are crucial when it comes to the dynamic of a classroom. Under the leadership of Diehl and Rohde, the education academy provides just that. With exposure to eye-opening opportunities and inspiring influencers, the education academy undoubtedly provides a unique perspective for students.
“They have so much energy and it gives me so much hope for tomorrow, I love telling people that we’re in good hands, the next generation is going to knock everyone’s socks off,” Rohde said.