May 2021

Carpenter Elementary kindergarten students recently had a group of guest teachers---students from Deer Park High School-South Campus who are training to be future educators through the Junior Achievement program.  The high school students had previously taught first-graders at another school.

According to DPHS-SC Teacher Peggy Heatley, the students are in the Education Co-Op Program and have jobs in the district as a teacher’s aide or in a local daycare center.  “The Junior Achievement program sends the lesson kits with the lessons and hands-on activities,” Heatley said. “My students use the outline provided but add their own words and examples in the lesson.”

The future teachers worked on preparations for two-three weeks, collaborating with classmates teaching the same lesson and working as a team.  “This is a great opportunity for my students to practice teaching a lesson from start to finish and experience a real life scenario,” Heatley explained. “The lessons introduce the kindergarten students to financial literacy and social studies learning objectives such as earning, saving, and sharing money.”

Junior Achievement also offers scholarship opportunities for participants.

Congratulations to Carpenter Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Amber Miller!  This afternoon, Superintendent Stephen Harrell announced that she had been selected 2021-22 DPISD Elementary Teacher of the Year.  Also participating in the presentation were members of the Teacher of the Year selection committee, the District administration, and, as surprise guests, members of Miller’s family.

Miller will represent DPISD in the regional competition. The District Secondary Teacher of the Year will be announced soon!