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ateway GATEWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Before Kate Thompson took the Preschool Education class at Gateway High School , she thought she wanted to study to become a nurse . The hands-on experience , though , has changed her future career choice . Thompson now wants to become an early childhood teacher .
“ I feel like I ’ ve taken a step into my future , and I ’ m already living it a little bit ,” said Thompson , a 12th grader . “ This is my favorite class . I really love it . It brings me joy everyday .”
First taught by Mary Lou Van Orden , Preschool Education — also known as the ‘ Lil Gators Preschool Program — has become a staple , impactful class at Gateway High School . Tracy Ricciardi , a veteran teacher in the district , has now taught this class for 14 years , which places high school students in one-on-one teaching roles with preschool-aged students .
“ It ’ s a really great program . Even if you don ’ t see education in your future , it ’ s definitely great just to experience being around children and how to work with them ,” said Thompson . “ You really have to learn how to word things differently . And I think it lets us obtain a lot of new skills . This course brings a lot of joy and opportunity for us , especially future educators .”
28 MONROEVILLE
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Students must take Ricciardi ’ s Child Development course as a prerequisite before taking Preschool Education , which can be taken three times at three different levels . For three periods on Tuesdays , Wednesdays , and Thursdays , preschoolers come to Gateway High School , and are taught oneon-one by high school students . On Mondays and Fridays , students plan their lessons and materials , and also debrief with Mrs . Ricciardi , discussing how things are going and how the students are functioning within the |
classroom . Students must plan their lessons using Pennsylvania state standards .
“ We ’ re having conversations just like teachers would have ,” said Mrs . Ricciardi . “ As far as teachers go , this is a great entrance level to see if you really do like this or not , especially with writing lesson plans and the active , one-on-one with the kids .”
Each week within the class is themed , and lesson plans range across a full gambit of subjects — math , science , art , music , English , and much more . The preschool
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