Renton Teacher Academy students learn the fundamentals of the educational system and practice instructional best practices in their RWT program. Students note that working with children in their weekly 1-2 hour internship is one of their most rewarding high school experiences.
The Renton Teacher Academy RWT program is situated in the requirements of the CTE Careers in Education “Career Cluster” and has three main goals:
- Support and educate students for career in education.
- Design and deliver programs aimed at encouraging high school students to consider and explore teaching careers in state-identified shortage areas – particularly mathematics, science, bilingual education, English as a second language and special education.
- Coordinate and integrate services designed to overcome barriers to complete higher education teacher preparation programs and enter the teaching profession.
By the numbers
| Demographics | On-time high school graduation | Accepted and/or attending college |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 to 2014 | 2007 to 2014 | 2007 to 2014 |
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No. of students: 22 (2008-09) 27 (2009-10) 12 (2010-11) 18 (2011-12) 22 (2012-13) 22 (2013-14) Total – 123 students
Student Demographics for 2013-14 35% African American 15% Asian-American 20% Euro-American 20% Hispanic 10% Multi-Ethnic |
2008 to 2012: 100% eligible students graduated on time from 2008 to 2012. 2013: 93% graduated on time. 2014: 100% graduated on time.
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2009 to 2011: 96% – eligible to attend college are attending. 2011-12: 85% eligible to attend college are expected to attend. 46% of all years of RWT grads still pursuing teacher preparation. 2012-13: 93% eligible, are attending college. 57% (June 2013), received scholarships.
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Preparing students for college and careers with meaningful partnerships
Renton’s program is part of Central Washington University’s (CWU) Cornerstone Program, allowing students to earn 5 college credits by taking an equivalent college course – EDEC 292: Assisting in the Child-Centered Classroom. The Renton Teacher Academy is a collaborative project between Renton School District and CWU. The aim of the program is to recruit high school students to become teachers.
Program goals
- To inspire student vision and understanding of the value of a teaching career.
- To introduce careers in education and the educator professional code of conduct.
- To demonstrate college readiness through placement tests and college admissions.
- To provide learning opportunities and classroom experiences in collaboration with P-12 teachers, two and/or four year faculty members and community organizations.
- To introduce and develop cultural competency and a variety of culturally responsive and appropriate strategies used to engage students.
Desired enduring understandings
- Support underrepresented students to increase their graduation rate from high school.
- Motivate first generation high school graduates by exposing them to higher education options.
- Ongoing advising by a key program coordinator and mentor teacher are central to achieving educational and personal goals.
- Provide a cohort experience which becomes a community of support with peers, high school teachers, and college faculty.
- Experience being a role model for younger students motivates high school students to do well academically.
- Equity in education can only be achieved through increased identification and understanding of existing social and educational barriers.
Essential questions
- What can students do in high school to ensure a successful launch into their chosen college and career?
- What are teaching methods that address student needs while affirming diversity?
- What are teaching methods that address student needs while affirming diversity?
- How does classroom environment affect student achievement?
- How do I demonstrate critical thinking in my teaching and learning?
Key knowledge and skills
Students will know…
- How historical and current educational issues influence educational systems.
- How issues of prejudice impact education and can limit access to learning.
- How being familiar with School Law, Ethics, and Special Accommodations will help create equitable access for every child.
- How effective classroom management models create stronger learning environments.
- How applying the stages of child development when planning a lesson will create age-appropriate lesson plans.
- How using various pathways to teaching, they can create an individualized plan for continuing their educational journey beyond high school.
- How developing strong relationships with mentor teachers can improve the likelihood of a successful launch in a chosen career as a teacher.
Students will be able to…
- Identify and assign standards when creating lesson plans.
- Use the cycle of assessment to create and re-create an effective lesson plan.
- Write age-appropriate content and language lesson objectives using the SIOP model of instruction.
- Create a plan for accountability and successful completion of all high school requirements.
- Demonstrate preparedness for a college or university education by creating a well-designed plan beginning with SAT scores and ending with college and scholarship applications and acceptance.
- Develop a personal philosophy of education statement that can be modified and developed beyond high school completion.
- Present a professional work-sample portfolio.
