NHSSS Salutes Julie Good, Rocket Corps Coordinator, Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, Maryland
What makes someone want to be a teacher? Some teachers grew up knowing that is the career they want to pursue. For many more, the example of a revered teacher leads them to the career choice. Others need a spark that ignites their interest in a teaching career. A mentoring/intern program in high school, if done well, can provide that spark. It certainly has done so for many future teachers at Richard Montgomery High School.
These are the encouraging words from Julie Good, Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction and NSHSS Ambassador, who was recently selected by the student body at Montgomery High School as their most "inspirational" teacher. Julie coordinates the Rocket Corps, an innovative program at the school to engage and motive students to seek a career in teaching. This program (based on the school’s nickname), was designed to inspire and motivate young people to join the ranks of our nation’s teachers in the future, to alleviate the projected critical shortage of teachers for our next generations. Julie writes that “we have had success with a program that places student ‘interns’ in classrooms to help other students. It helps our interns decide they want to teach, and in the process the program is helpful to their peers and to current teachers.” The program also led to the high school’s selection last year as a Claes Nobel School of Distinction.
Julie Good accepts School of Disctinction Award from Claes Nobel at Scholar's Day in Washington, D.C.
Julie indicates that the Rocket Corps is going really well. She has around 88 interns with 6 of her students taking Education 101/Intro to Education and Education 102/Field Experience at the local community college. Please read more about the Rocket Corps program and brochure.