This week’s academic spotlight shines on Lansing High School CTE/FACS teacher Shannon Long and her thoughtful approach to preparing students for potential careers in education through hands-on learning experiences.
Recently, Ms. Long invited Sharon Burns, our Director of Communications and Marketing, and me to speak to her students about teaching as a career pathway. During this session, we explored the opportunity for students to become paid paraprofessionals at USD469 after graduation, with tuition reimbursement options for those pursuing a college education in teaching through the new Kansas Registered Teacher Apprentice Program. As head of recruitment and retention, Sharon introduced the program last year and has successfully signed up five staff members. The goal is to extend that to future Lansing graduates which aligns with our Strategic Plan action item to “Establish a grow your own program to enhance the pool of candidates.”
The activity was not just about career exploration but tied directly to Ms. Long’s course objectives. Her students are learning about the barriers some students face in the classroom and how peer mentoring can help break down those barriers. Through building relationships and modeling positive behaviors, students can significantly impact their peers’ success. By learning about this post-graduation pathway, students gained a real-world understanding of how they can apply these mentoring skills while also getting paid to continue their education and contribute to our school district.
Ms. Long emphasized how this opportunity aligns with her classroom goal:
“This was an important learning activity because it directly applies to the course objectives. Students learn how to be peer mentors by understanding and addressing the conditions that may hinder learning for others. Knowing they can take these skills beyond high school and into a paid, career-based role adds tremendous value to their future,” said Ms. Long.
The activity was met with enthusiasm from the students, who expressed excitement about the possibility of continuing their education and employment in Lansing.
“That is good to know because I may not be able to afford college otherwise, and I may want to be an art teacher,” said Alex, highlighting the financial and professional benefits of the opportunity.
Mia, another student, added, “I would like to be a teacher’s assistant and work with little kids. It’s good to know I could get paid to do that and stay in Lansing.”
Through this informative and engaging session, Ms. Long continues to demonstrate her commitment to providing her students with practical opportunities that not only support their academic growth but also pave the way for their professional futures. Her dedication to helping students see real-world applications of their learning is one of the many reasons we’re proud to have her here at Lansing.
Great job, Ms. Long!
