Many teachers who come to NCCAT for our beginning teacher programs share stories of how and why they went into education. Northern Guilford High School teacher Luke Barnes is glad after time in the business world he returned to what has been the family business.
Both Barnes mother and father were educators. When he graduated from Appalachian State in 2011 with a degree in Business Management and accepted a sales job, it appeared his direction would be different. But Luke realized teaching and coaching were his passions.
"I began to think about it, and some opportunities came up," Barnes said. "Ultimately, I choose to become a teacher. I'm glad I did. I'm still learning every day and enjoying what I have the chance to do."
Part of Barnes continuous learning efforts included coming to NCCAT for the "Success from the Start: Foundational Skills for Beginning Teachers" program.
"The main reason I decided to come was I'm a lateral entry teacher and my formal education was in business," Barnes said. "I knew this would be a good opportunity to find out about ways I could improve as a teacher. My mom (Denise Everhart Barnes) is big into NCCAT and what it does, so when I had the opportunity I wanted to be a part of it."
Luke said the week at NCCAT was informative and educational. He appreciated the ideas on getting students more active and being able to interact with teachers from around the state of North Carolina.
"It helps to hear that other are facing the same things you are and hear what they are doing," Barnes said. "I can see taking a lot of what we've talked about back to the classroom and staying in contact with educators I've met here."
We were glad to have Luke with us and wish him best of luck in his continued education career.
If you are in your first, second or third year of teaching, we hope you will consider joining us for "Success from the Start: Foundational Skills for Beginning Teachers" in Ocracoke Sept. 29-Oct. 2. Through experiential learning, teachers will explore pedagogical concerns including differentiated instruction, brain-compatible teaching, assessment, the effect of poverty on achievement and behavior, and classroom management. The course number is 13977. If you know a beginning teacher, please share this information with them about this offering from NCCAT.
Photo: "Success from the Start: Foundational Skills for Beginning Teachers" group photo from Luke's visit to NCCAT. Luke is in the green shirt sitting on the coach. Thanks to Luke and all these teachers for being with us!
