Driven to Make a Difference
Joshua Katz always gravitated toward science and math in high school, academic subjects that he knew were not as well-loved by his classmates.
“I wanted to help my friends who didn’t quite understand the lessons the way I did,” said Katz. “Eventually I realized I wanted to do the same thing for my career.”
The 22-year-old became the first student to earn Eastern Florida State College’s Science Teacher Education Bachelor of Science degree. He’s now inspiring future scientists as a Science Lab teacher at Croton Elementary School in Melbourne, Florida.
“My job is to help reinforce the important topics and standards discussed in class by giving students a hands-on experience in learning,” Katz said.
Completing the Degree
“My favorite part is being able to provide another method of learning to students because we are all different learners and hands-on learning truly fills in gaps among students.”
Katz graduated in Summer of 2022 with the degree’s Biology Teacher specialization. Two additional tracks were added in Fall 2022. These for students majoring in Chemistry Teacher education (grades 6 – 12) or Middle School Science (grades 5 – 9). Students must choose one specialization and can only earn the Science Teacher Education B.S. one time.
“Science teachers have been on the critical shortage list for many years. Brevard Public Schools wants to hire graduates from these programs,” said Dr. Holly McKnight, EFSC’s Collegewide Chair for Behavioral Sciences and Education. She led the creation of the new degree, working closely with the local school district.
“My hope for students graduating from this program is for them to have a firm grasp on their content area and have the best teaching strategies. We hope to produce positive teachers who can manage a classroom and make learning fun.”
Each track features extensive customized science courses. Plus education classes focus on specialized science content preparation, educational theory and practice.
Katz knew he planned to get an associate degree from EFSC, just like his father and his two brothers. As a result, the Science Teacher bachelor program thrilled him. It allowed him to pursue a degree close to home.
Getting Hands-on Experience
“EFSC taught me the basics of how to teach, how to address certain issues, and how to build relationships with students,” said Katz. “I honestly feel like I could teach anyone, at any grade level. The internships were an eye-opening experience that helped prepare me to be a confident teacher.”
Those semester-long internships take place as a junior and senior. They allow students to be active participants in diverse classrooms, integrate theory and practice, utilize their knowledge of current research on teaching and learning, develop peer relationships, and discover their identities as teachers.
That’s especially true during the senior internship. These include teaching at a Brevard public school under the supervision of the classroom teacher. Students have a chance to put to use what they learned in required courses such as Classroom Management.
“If you cannot manage the classroom then you won’t be able to get content across to the students,” said Dr. McKnight. “I think it is a really fun class and truly an important one that students will be taking.”
Students complete many of the degree’s classes on campus due to the required science labs. However, some coursework takes place online, such as assignments related to the internships.
“I cannot be more grateful for my instructors and the program coordinators at EFSC,” said Katz. “They all cared for us no matter what the issue was or the situation. We were always met with a kind person who was willing to help.”
Students can apply to the Science Teacher Education B.S. degree year-round.
“This program is challenging and rigorous,” said Katz. “But it is also filled with experiences you will remember for the rest of your life.”
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