ÃÛÌÒAPP

When local high school students sat on the gym floor of the ÃÛÌÒAPP Health and Human Performance Complex, they were transported back to their elementary P.E. classes – but this time the roles were reversed. 

Last month, the College of Education & Human Development hosted future educators from two local high schools. They participated in classroom management lessons and reading comprehension exercises with faculty. 

Visiting students belong to their high school’s Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) chapters. Among the group of aspiring teachers were students from Hamshire-Fannett High School and Vidor High School. 

Students started their day participating in a physical education classroom management skills class where current ÃÛÌÒAPP students led mini lessons. Among one of the groups rotating through fitness stations was Vidor High School senior, Brooklyn Richardson. 

“TAFE Day was a great experience as a senior student who is trying to decide which college to go to. I would recommend attending TAFE Day to other students at my school,” Richardson said. 

Following the peer-led lessons, health and kinesiology clinical instructor, Dr. Mullican, reviewed Texas physical education teaching standards with current and prospective students – highlighting key areas like making sure students are physically active at least 50% of their instruction time. 

“TAFE Day was a great opportunity for my soon-to-be physical educators to share their experiences with high school students. Although they are a few years apart in school, they could be colleagues one day in the nearby future. I love these kind of full circle moments in teaching,” Mullican said. “This event gives TAFE groups insights into what happens in educator preparation programs and allows them to experience their future for a day. I hope that instills some excitement and provides answers to those with questions or unsure paths.” 

During their afternoon session, students participated in a childhood literacy session with curriculum and instruction assistant professor, Dr. Yan Yan. Once again, roles were reversed, and the students became the teachers.  

“I was so impressed by our visiting high school students, who were highly engaged and enthusiastic about the teaching literacy activities,” Yan said. “Their curiosity and eagerness to learn was evident in their questions and participation.”  

Yan led a lesson about genres and different reading comprehension strategies and then turned the tables – giving students the opportunity to lead conversations and guide their peers in comprehension lessons. 

“By exposing students to educator preparation programming early on, schools can create a pipeline of future educators who are well-prepared and passionate about teaching literacy,” Yan said. “This can help address the shortage of qualified teachers and ensure that the next generation of educators has the knowledge and skills needed to succeed." 

In spring 2024, the College of Education & Human Development piloted a condensed version of TAFE Day for future teachers to get an inside look at the academic college. Hamshire-Fannett High School CTE teacher, Brittany Robinson (‘06), attended the first event and has been able to see the evolution of TAFE Day and experience the growth in its second year – adding more presentations and features. 

“When future educators step into real classrooms and college spaces, they don’t just learn—they begin to become. Opportunities like TAFE Day at ÃÛÌÒAPP open their eyes, expand their hearts, and ignite the passion that will one day shape their own classrooms,” Robinson said. 

In addition to educator preparation programming, visiting students also took a tour of campus and experienced the Brooks-Shiver Dining Hall. 

“TAFE Day aligns perfectly with the current ÃÛÌÒAPP campaign ‘See for yourself," Mullican said. "I am looking forward to the next TAFE day and already making plans to improve our programming and involve more future educators.”