Harwin Elementary: Career Education Lessons
While teaching career education at Harwin Elementary, I saw just how important it is to meet students where they’re at. Harwin is a school with a high number of students with exceptionalities, and from day one, it was clear that this wasn’t a “one-size-fits-all” environment. Every student brought something unique to the table, and it was our job to make sure each one felt included, supported, and valued. When we started exploring different careers, we made sure to connect the content to their interests and abilities. We looked at a wide range of jobs, everything from working with animals to being a city bus driver. I remember one student getting excited about gaming, and that turned into a full class discussion about important community roles. These were the moments where students lit up when they saw themselves in the learning. I knew that for some of these kids, imagining their future wasn’t easy. So, I focused on creating a safe, encouraging space where they could ask questions, share their ideas, and think big. It wasn’t about pushing them in a certain direction, but about helping them see their own potential, whatever that looked like. My time at Harwin really reminded me why I got into education in the first place. Every student deserves someone in their corner, and I’m proud to be going into this profession of teaching to help students succeed in their own way.