Lakeland High School, FSC partner to launch ‘Educator Academy’

LAKELAND, Fla. — Students at Lakeland High School are getting a head start in pursuing a career in education thanks to a partnership with Florida Southern College. It is creating a pathway for students to earn credits while in high school.

Students in this classroom are putting pen to paper learning about a career in education.

Ashlynn Masciarelli is a sophomore at Lakeland High School who is interested in working in the classroom. “I have a lot of family members that are teachers, and I’ve always been a big helper, and I love kids,” she said.

She is part of over 50 students at the high school taking part in the “Educator Academy.” It’s a new partnership with Florida Southern College geared toward high school students.

Faith Himene said it is teaching her valuable skills as she considers becoming a special needs educator.

“I’ve learned a lot of relationship ways to work with kids and how to communicate with parents and adults,” Himene said.

The course is taught by college students currently enrolled in the education school at FSC.

The dean of the school of education, Lori Rakes, said the academy will guide students over the course of four years. At the end, they will earn five class credits that can transfer to the college.

“Currently there are three classes in the educator academy, different periods of the day,” Rakes said. “As the program grows, we hope that it will take all seven class periods.”

The academy includes partnership days where FSC students come in to teach the high schoolers. They also shadow college students at FSC and even get hands-on training at the Roberts Academy.

Tracey Tedder, the provost and VP of Academic Affairs with the college, hopes this will create a pipeline for more teachers in the county.

“There’s a need for teachers right here in our own community, and it gave us a great opportunity to not only work with our local community but to prepare students who are interested in education,” Tedder said.

And inspire students like Masciarelli and Himene to one day be in their own classrooms.

The academy is made up of students of all grade levels. Students interested in taking part can sign up at Lakeland High School.