Through our deep partnerships with local and national industry experts in the field of education, students at CAST Teach will create relationships with transformative leaders and will put their learning into practice!
What is a field experience?
Field experiences at CAST Teach HS are unique and will create authentic learning opportunities that matter for students. Field experiences ensure students learn side by side with teachers, coaches, counselors, librarians, UTSA professors, and industry experts in the field of education. In addition, field experiences at CAST Teach will occur both inside and outside of the classroom in local schools, businesses, and throughout the community.
Why are field experiences important?
Students will have the opportunity to foster relationships with the education industry, higher education members, and community leaders. These field experiences will help students identify and nurture their passions and will provide them with key opportunities to develop the skills relevant to their career, such as collaboration, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These experiences ensure that our students are college competitive and have an edge in the workforce.
Types of Field Experiences
- Mentorships with Industry Experts: Mentors, as experts in their field, will play an important role for our students as they provide one-on-one support for students. Our mentors will work with students to build strong, trusting relationships where students discuss their goals and their path to achieving those goals. Mentors may be UTSA students and faculty, educational experts, industry leaders, or classroom teachers.
- Job-Shadowing: Job shadowing opportunities will provide the on the job learning experience that involves time to visit the field and work next to the expert to observe and apply the knowledge learned in the classroom. Students can see the work first hand by collaborating with their mentors in the real life work field. Job shadowing opportunities will help our students to determine their ideal career choices in the field of education.
- Internships/Practicums: The practicum is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills. Practicum experiences occur in a paid or unpaid arrangement and in a variety of instructional settings.
- Professional Speakers: Communication skills are key in education. CAST Teach will invite the experts in the field, leaders and professional speakers to directly speak to our students with a job related perspective and to teach students how to be active and confident presenters and leaders. Students will gain experience to be presentational speakers with the interpersonal and presentational skills needed for a successful career.