OHS CTE Teaching & Coaching Students observing at Central Elementary School. Submitted photo.
As part of Oxford School District’s expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities, Oxford High School introduced a new Teaching and Coaching program this fall. Now in its first semester, the class is giving students the opportunity to explore the education profession through classroom learning and authentic experiences in local schools.
Students in the Teaching and Coaching program have spent time observing in several elementary classrooms and recently participated in an improvement walk at Oxford Intermediate School. In November, they will visit Magnolia Montessori School and the University of Mississippi School of Education to broaden their understanding of different teaching styles and learning environments.
As the semester continues, students will expand their experiences by shadowing teachers at the secondary level and participating in more hands-on learning activities, such as reading with young elementary students.
The two-year program gives students a strong foundation in education and coaching while gradually increasing their level of engagement and responsibility. In the first year, students learn the fundamental skills of teaching and observe classroom practices. The second year builds on those experiences with more active participation, as they apply their skills through classroom practice, collaboration with educators, and learn how to support a variety of learners.
Coach Dana McGivney, who teaches the Teaching and Coaching class, said, “I hope they receive a basic understanding of what it means to be a teacher or coach — all of the time and effort it takes to plan and be successful in the classroom and on the field. I also hope they see a variety of teachers and coaches that love this profession, and it makes them more passionate about wanting to be an educator or coach.”
That vision echoes the district’s focus on aligning CTE programs with long-term career opportunities.
“When you think about our universities, K-12 schools, and other post-secondary institutions, some of our largest regional employment opportunities are in education. Looking at our historical district trends, a B.A. in Education is one of the top ten degrees our graduates earn. A large part of CTE is to align programming with long-term employment opportunities, and this program is a natural fit in our region. It’s also important to understand that if someone wants to become a coach, he or she will likely be working in the field of education,” said Dr. Duncan Gray, Oxford School District Director of Community and Workforce Development.
The program’s impact is already evident in students who are gaining a clearer understanding of what it takes to be an educator.
“I have learned many things about what is involved with becoming a teacher or coach in our Teaching and Coaching Class. Some of the things we have been able to do in the classroom include making bulletin boards, participating in group projects, ice breakers, and learning about the early history of education in America. We also had the opportunity to participate in the Educators Rising conference in Meridian, Mississippi,” said Luly Beauchamp, an Oxford High School junior enrolled in the program. “Being able to go into the classrooms in the district and observe many different teachers and age groups has made me very excited about a future career in education. It is really fun to watch the teachers and learn from them. I am looking forward to shadowing more and hopefully, being able to have some hands-on experience in the classroom.”
The Teaching and Coaching program is one of five new CTE courses introduced this year at Oxford High School, reflecting the district’s commitment to real-world learning experiences that prepare students for college, career, and life success.
To learn more about Oxford School District’s CTE programs, visit www.oxfordsd.org/CTE or contact Dr. Duncan Gray at dmgray@oxfordsd.org or Mary Martha Crowe at mcrowe@oxfordsd.org.
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