Interested in the arts? Ever thought about

being a teacher? Just looking for something different? This year at Roosevelt, there are changes in the career education, art, English, and technology departments that will satisfy these desires. Whether the opportunity to obtain college credit or create an art portfolio appeals to you, classes are undergoing many changes.

Roosevelt now offers a two-year program called Career Pathways to the Teaching Profession. While Early Childhood Development is a preparation for those students interested in teaching preschool age children, this series of classes will offer broad experience in teaching all different ages, kindergarteners and graduate students alike. Those taking this course will also have the opportunity to interact with administrators, if administration is a field they may be interested in pursuing. According to Nancy Bubenzer, the 12th grade guidance counselor, this program was created after the realization that there is a shortage of teachers in Ohio. The standards for entering teacher preparation programs and admission to college are quite rigorous; but Career Pathways to the Teaching Professional was created to ready students for the arduous task ahead. “We’re excited about [this] program,” Bubenzer said.

Other changes in the Career Education Department include modifications within the Athletic Health Care course. Along with the traditional program, there is now a college tech preparation program. This means that students will have the opportunity to earn preliminary college credit while still in high school.

For students looking to pursue a career in the art field, an advanced placement art class is now offered. Taught by Judy Atkins, the focus of this class is to create an art portfolio. There is no written exam for the yearlong course, but students will have the chance to submit their portfolio, which consists of 24 pieces of art, to a panel of artists.

A Shakespeare class, instructed by Cathy Cikra, and an electronics class, taught by Jeff Lesueur, are being reintroduced as semester long classes this year. Teaching Computer Aided Drafting and Design 1 & 2, which are also returning courses, are Joe Paloni and Art Richards.

With many new classes and opportunities to get involved at Roosevelt, it should not be too difficult to begin this school year on the right foot and make it a fresh, exciting start.