Plymouth Whitemarsh High School seniors reflect on PRIZE experience
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School seniors reflect on PRIZE experience
From left to right in the front row are Gianna Testa, Emma Hoffman, and Aubrey Choi. In the back row, from left to right, are Claire Getson, Kieran Flanagan, and Caiden Leszczynski.
A partnership between Plymouth Whitemarsh High School and West Chester University is promising to deliver some
talented and passionate young educators into the teacher pipeline - maybe even a few who aspire to return to the district from which they will graduate.
“One-hundred percent, I want to work here,” said Claire Getson, a Plymouth Whitemarsh High School 12th-grader who will graduate this June and plans to pursue a teaching degree. “This district is really good.”
Claire is one of six seniors who are taking advantage of PRIZE (Partners in Raising Inclusive Zealous Educators), a program through which high school students can take West Chester University education courses at no cost, giving them a headstart on their teaching degree. PRIZE students may also attend a Summer Institute for aspiring educators that is held at West Chester University.
The PRIZE partnership was first offered two years ago, as a way to address the teacher shortage and to inspire more teachers of color to join the educational ranks. At PW, interest in the program has been steadily growing. Since PRIZE began in 2023, 24 students have taken advantage of it. Students have the option of joining the program starting in their junior year. Oftentimes, counselors will recommend it if they see a logical fit for students who may already be working with children by serving as camp counselors, youth coaches, caregivers, or tutors.
This year’s group of PRIZE seniors say they would recommend the program to anyone considering a career teaching kids. In fact, Kieran Flanagan already has.
“I have a friend who told me they’re thinking about taking it, and I told him - 100 percent, take it,” said Kieran, who thinks he might want to teach fourth-grade.
Caiden Leszczynski agreed, noting that the courses are interesting.
“Plus it’s a great experience to find out what a college class is like,” said Caiden, who is hoping to teach at the high school level.
Caiden said being a part of the program has also helped him to determine that teaching is the path for him.
“I knew I wanted to get into education because I am already doing coaching, but this solidified my love for it,” he said.
Gianna Testa said she wasn’t sure that teaching would be the field for her, and saw PRIZE as an opportunity to help her determine that. She had an inkling she might like the profession since she has been a camp counselor and tutor, but now she is pretty certain that she would like to teach at the preschool or elementary level.
“A lot of it has to do with about how I was as a child,” she said, noting that as an anxious child, she is now motivated to help other youngsters who might struggle with that in school.
For Aubrey Choi, pursuing a teaching career is also related to her own experiences as a student.
“I had times when I felt like teachers determined how my life was going, and I wanted to be that sort of change for other students,” said Aubrey, who would like to go into art education.
Claire, who also takes part in the Secondary Education Academy at Central Montco Technical High School, said she has always wanted to be a teacher since it matches her personality. But being a part of PRIZE and the Academy has helped shape her passion for the profession. She has already had teaching internships at Colonial Elementary School, Colonial Middle School, and Ridge Park Elementary School. Those experiences helped her determine that she would like to teach fourth- or fifth-graders.
The students said that programs like PRIZE and the Secondary Education Academy are important to help address the teacher shortage, but also because educators are the ones who have the potential to inspire and prepare young people for the future.
“It’s very important to shape the minds of kids in a positive way,” said Caiden.
Kieran, whose father is also a teacher, said even though fewer people are going into education, he sees teachers’ roles as vital.
“It’s a very important profession because you’re preparing people for other jobs,” he said.
If nothing else, the students all agree that getting a sneak peek into the profession has given them a greater appreciation for the adults who have taught them.
“I’ve had a great experience here,” said Caiden. “We have a lot of benefits that other schools may not have.”