The path to becoming a teacher often begins with decisions made after high school, but for members of the Future Educators Club, that journey can start from the moment they spark an interest in teaching. 

Led by English teachers Katelyn Leger and Emily Stanbridge, the club focuses on giving high school students hands-on experiences with teaching. 

 “We want students to be confident in their decision to go into education and also give them a chance to explore,” Leger said.

The club provides resources, opportunities, and advice directly to students through hands-on activities during their meetings. 

“The purpose is to get prospective educators who are interested in becoming teachers into the classroom,” Leger said, “and teach them what it’s like to be a teacher.”

The club meets every Thursday after school and is open to all grade levels. Students can shadow teachers and learn about different age groups and teaching paths before choosing a college major.

 “[It] lets them have some experience working with kids and also gives them a chance to learn about what you need to do in order to become a certified teacher in New Hampshire,” Leger said. 

Leger encourages students to join the club if they are interested in education in general and find enjoyment when working with others. 

“Education is a great career to go into if you’re passionate,” she said. 

According to Leger, the club goes beyond academics. The club also focuses on the personal values amongst teaching because “behind any good teacher, there’s a reason that they’re there,” Leger said.

Thoughts about teaching from someone new to the game

That idea of values shaped from past experiences carries into the classroom for teachers like Daniel Gear, a first-year physical education and wellness teacher at LHS. Gear’s interest in education started back when he was a student himself. 

“I had a lot of good teachers in high school,” Gear said, “and I’ve always liked helping people out. I coached when I was in high school. I’ve just always had a passion and interest in coaching and teaching, and thought that would be a good career to go into.”

Gear’s path was not perfectly planned. Although he knew he wanted to be a teacher, he was not always sure of which subject.

“During my senior year in high school, I was interested in being an English teacher,” Gear said. “Then, I just decided I didn’t want to do it. Physical and health education seemed to be where I belong. I just kind of looked more into it, and that’s what I felt like I wanted to do.”

While attending college at Plymouth State University, Gear learned the importance of mentorship. Professors like Kathleen McCabe showed him what it means to push students while also caring for them personally. 

“She was probably one of the only reasons that my friends in the program got through,” he said. “She was pushing them, and she really pushed us to do our best,” he said.

Now, as a teacher at LHS, Gear values connection just as much as content, which is why he prefers to teach high school.

“You can have genuine conversations with students,” he said. “There’s just a lot more opportunities to see you guys do stuff.”

For students considering education, Gear’s advice is straightforward. 

“I would say get involved,” he said. “Those who are interested should look into things like the Future Educators Club, and just do all the extracurriculars you can. The more you’re involved now, the more opportunities you’re going to have later down the road.”

Perspective from a student teacher studying education

Taking hold of opportunities, a junior at Saint Anselm College, Billy Jacobus, had sparked an interest in high school education. Last semester, Jacobus worked with science teacher Daniel Grant, where he got some classroom experience.  

However, his passion for education traces back to his own time as a high school student. 

“In my junior year of high school, I had a really awesome language teacher,” Jacobus said. “She was a perfect balance of freedom, and I had always felt engaged in the class.”

That classroom experience showed him what good teaching could look like and planted the idea of becoming an educator himself. Jacobus attended Hangum High School in Massachusetts, where being part of a closely-knit public school community shaped how he views education.

 “A lot of my friends went to private school, but I liked being in a public school with all the kids I grew up with,” Jacobus said. “I am still in contact with them.” 

Those relationships helped him understand the importance of connection, something he now values in teaching. Before even stepping into a college classroom, Jacobus gained early exposure through community service. 

“Our senior year, we did a community day, and I volunteered at an elementary school,” he said. “I was in a classroom, and it was fun.”

That experience gave him his first real look at what teaching felt like. Although he worked with younger students at first, Jacobus quickly realized where he felt most comfortable. 

“I always knew I wanted to work with older kids,” he said. “There are more actual conversations.”

That self-discovery helped guide his path once he reached college. Now, as a student teacher, Jacobus splits his time between coursework and placements in real classrooms, where he learns what teaching looks like from day to day, while interacting with different types of students. 

“They were great,” he said. “They loved it too; they were always really on task. I found that the school was run really well.” 

Along the way, he has developed skills that go beyond lesson plans. 

“I’ve gained a lot of organization and planning [skills],” he said. “Flexibility is big because you gotta move on the fly.” 

For Jacobus, the most fulfilling moments come when students finally understand something. 

“Just helping someone and seeing it click, you can see it click in their heads,” he said. “It’s pretty sweet.” 

For students who chase that feeling of accomplishment in helping others, Leger recommends getting a head start towards a career in education through the Future Educators Club. 

“It’s a great club to be a part of, a great way to get your foot in the door, and there’s also a scholarship when you’re a senior,” Leger said. ”So get involved, join us. It’ll be great,” Leger said.