Teacher Cadets

Teacher Cadets is part of the SGHS Academy for Education. (Other courses in this academy strand include Psychology, Child Development, and Early Childhood Education.) As of the 2024-25 school year, Teacher Cadet is offered at level 1 and level 2; levels 3 & 4 may be added in the future, depending on student interest and scheduling availability.

Teacher Cadets is a hands-on, project-based learning course. Students engage in inquiry, research, presentations, simulations, observations, field experience, and creative work. Teacher Cadets also have opportunities to visit universities to learn more about the path to becoming a teacher and to engage with guest speakers who provide a vision for the many ways educators serve in our community, both within the school system and through partner organizations.

The Teacher Cadet program is offered by the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children. It is an in-state teacher recruitment and leadership program that is designed to develop a pipeline of students to be the next generation of teachers. Learn more about the NC Teacher Cadet program here.

Teacher Cadet I

Level 1 of the Teacher Cadet program places a strong emphasis on understanding of students and the factors that impact how they learn. Level 1 students learn about human development, cognitive processes, the impacts of social, emotional, physical, and environmental factors on student achievement, and the ways that teachers adapt to meet the needs of their students, including a brief introduction to classroom management and teaching strategies.

In the first level of Teacher Cadets, students participate in field experience through service projects within our school, observations at our feeder schools, and a short internship. Teacher Cadet I students also practice teaching short lessons to their peers.

Teacher Cadet I is offered during 1st block in the fall semester only.

Teacher Cadet II

Level 2 of the Teacher Cadet program shifts the focus to the role of teachers, the process of teaching, and the ways that schools function. Level 2 students learn more about teaching methods, strategies for managing and supporting learners, laws and regulations that impact schools, and how school systems operate locally, statewide, and nationally.

In the second level of Teacher Cadets, students participate in a more extensive internship process and continue to practice designing and teaching lessons to peers and within their internship classrooms.

Teacher Cadet II is offered during 1st block in the spring semester only.

Interested in joining Teacher Cadets?

Although Teacher Cadet is an academy course, it is open to all SGHS students.

Currently, we offer two levels of Teacher Cadet and recommend that students take the first course no earlier than junior year. If we expand to offer more levels of the course in the future, the program may open to sophomores to enable students to fit all levels into their 4-year plan.

We are looking for students who...

• Are interested in careers in education, or other careers that involve working with children. 
• Are responsible, respectful, and engaged in our school.
• Have positive relationships with SGHS teachers.
• Are willing to engage in project-based learning, including presentations.
  
  • You don't need to be great at presenting before you take the course. You just need to be willing to do your best and work to improve!
• Represent the best of our school community.

An application is required for registration in this class. See Ms. Barnes for an application packet!

Future Teachers Club

Coming in spring 2025!

Future Teachers is a club for students interested in careers in (or related to) education. It is open to all students, regardless of participation in the Teacher Cadet course. Participation in the club is recommended for Teacher Cadet students as an extension of the course.