TAFE made its debut last year with only a few qualifiers, but this year the size quadrupled with sevan students who qualified for the next level of competition. Twenty four students traveled to the Area 5 conference and competition at the Sam Houston State University, competing in multiple events and making more friends, connecting in their similar mindset.
The advancing students are preparing or the next level for their February Teach Tomorrow Summit at the Anatole in Dallas.
TAFE helps students’ be more prepared for their future and get the most hands they can on their future education.
“I was inspired to join TAFE because I wanted to get more hands-on experience to be a teacher,” junior Kiriana Leach said. “I believe it will help me in the future to know how to plan a lesson for younger kids and how effective my lessons are for the kids. I understand many teens don’t want to be teachers, but this was a passion of mine I have had since I was a kid. I used to teach my younger siblings what I learned because I was interested in it and wanted other kids to feel just as passionate about what they are learning.”
Students get too bored and fall asleep in school because the teachers don’t give students something to look forward to. TAFE gives future educators a chance to make fun activities for the students.
“What inspired me to join TAFE was children’s education, most kids get bored in classrooms or have a hard time focusing on a lesson, but TAFE gives future educators opportunities to create fun projects or lessons that will help smaller children learn and grow with a fun activity,” junior Samone King said. “Currently my partner and I are learning teacher materials, which is an event that specializes in lesson plans, assessments and instructional resources. We specifically did a lesson on the main five senses and put them into boxes and had the judges either be blindfolded or close their eyes to see if they could identify the sense in the box. TAFE provides professional development, educational growth, and specialized programs to help me become a teacher in the future, and helping other students makes me happy.
The love for teaching is growing and more and more students are directing their careers towards education.
“What inspired me to join TAFE is my love for teaching, the opportunities it offers, and the organization itself,” junior Shy-Ann Colon said. “TAFE isn’t just a club for students who want to be teachers, but a family made up of people who share the same dream of making a difference through teaching. Everything I’m learning in TAFE right now, like leadership skills, communication, and how to work with different types of learners, is preparing me for my future career in education. I want to be a teacher because they’re the ones who inspire, support, and help you when you need it, and I want to be that person for my students in the future.”
The president of the TAFE club, Kristen Eilers, was picked as an area officer at the last event.
“It feels so rewarding and I am so blessed that the WHS TAFE Chapter felt that I would be the best candidate to represent our district as a whole,” junior Kristen Eilers said. “I also am so thankful for the support from not only the WHS TAFE members but from our students and teachers all over the campus praying for my campaign and wishing me luck at the political rally. I am also so beyond grateful for the support and encouragement from my teachers, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Parsons at the CTE. I am so excited to continue growing our chapter here at Willis High School while making a difference on a bigger scale around the state of Texas.”
