When in kindergarten students were asked by the teacher what did they want to be when they grow-up. Most of the kids would shout, “Firefighter”, “Astronaut”, “Princess”, “Racecar driver”, “Ballerina” or a “Singer”, but there are always those one or two children in the back that say, “I want to be a teacher”.

Finding high school kids that have the patients and determination to become a teacher is a difficult task that North Point tries to make a little easier with the Education Careers STI. This year seniors in the program are spending time doing hands on learning with either an actual teacher or in the lab with the children in daycare.

Malachi Sheppard (’14) is learning how to become a teacher from the English teacher Ms. Spence. As her shadow, he is responsible for handing out papers and things of that nature, but later in the quarter he will plan and teach his own lessons to her classes.

Sheppard had someone to spark his interest in teaching. That role model was his father. “My father is a teacher in New Jersey and I have seen the joy and excitement that he has brought to his students throughout the years, so I would like to continue what he is doing.” To help with his career choice Sheppard plans on attending a four year college to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a minor in English.

In the next six years Sheppard sees himself out of college on his first year teaching job. He wants to teach high school seniors, “It is easier to connect with older kids rather than the younger ones”, clarifies Sheppard.

Some young adults have a difficult time managing their personal life and their career. However, Sheppard has gotten a head start at making that balance. Outside of school Sheppard hangs out with his friends, spends time with his girlfriend, plays lacrosse and football and works at Boston’s in Waldorf. While doing all those fun things outside of school he says it is important to not slack off because you will fall behind and his STI is a lot of work, so it is hard to catch up.

All teachers try to leave a lesson with each child that they teach and Sheppard’s words of wisdom are, “Do not fall behind. Always do your work and pay attention”.