Lee will host its inaugural Teaching Preview Day on Thursday, June 11, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering high school students an immersive, hands-on introduction to the teaching profession.
 
Designed for high school juniors and seniors, the free event goes beyond a traditional campus visit by allowing participants to actively engage in lesson planning and classroom instruction.
 
“Teaching is an active profession that cannot be fully understood without experience,” said Dr. Shane Brown, director of Teacher Education, Field Experiences, and Certification. “Participants will move beyond observation to actively practice teaching in real classrooms with real students.”
 
Students will begin the day on campus with an overview of education programs and breakout sessions led by faculty, organized by preferred teaching age groups. In small groups, participants will develop lesson plans before traveling to local summer school classrooms in the afternoon.
 
There, students will deliver their lessons to K-12 learners through a partnership with Cleveland City Schools, working under the guidance of education faculty. The day will conclude with a debrief session back on Lee’s campus.
 
“Preview Day was created to give students a meaningful glimpse into the teaching profession before they commit to education as a major,” said Rachael Pitts, assistant director of Teacher Education at Lee. “We wanted to go beyond a traditional visit and provide an experience that shows what teaching is really like.”
 
The event is open to students exploring education as a potential career, whether or not they have prior experience in the field.
 
“We hope students walk away with a clearer sense of whether teaching is the path they want to pursue,” said Pitts. “Early classroom experience helps build confidence and allows students to discover if this is truly their calling.”
 
Organizers plan to make Teaching Preview Day an annual event and express appreciation for community collaboration.
 
“We are grateful for our partnership with Cleveland City Schools,” said Pitts. “Their willingness to work with us is invaluable as we help prepare the next generation of teachers.”
 
Registration for Teaching Preview Day is free, with a May 29 deadline.
 
For more information or to register, visit Teach for a Day, scan the QR code above, or contact the Teacher Education Office at (423) 614-8184 or [email protected].