Intermediate Teacher

[Olivie Inoue]

Thepreparation to become an intermediate teacher includes several options. Depending on what specialization of education and training a future teaching professional chooses, several career paths are also available.

In education, grade levels are most often categorized as elementary or secondary. Elementary buildings most often include classrooms for grade levels from preschool through fifth grade. Secondary, or high school, buildings are most likely to house ninth through twelfth grade students. In many districts, there are sixth, seventh, and eight grade students in separate school buildings, usually either called a middle school or junior high. In some school districts, fifth grade and ninth grade classrooms are also included in intermediate level buildings.

Future teachers who pursue elementary education degrees take a variety of courses in order to be prepared to teach a range of subjects. Most elementary school curriculum programs require for one classroom teacher to instruct math, science, social studies, reading and writing, and history. Other prospective teaching candidates might choose to specialize in an area such as music or physical education, which typically requires a different path and completion of separate state requirements.

Some universities also have options to complete a generalist teaching program from kindergarten through up to the eighth grade level. In these programs, there could be requirements to also major in a specific academic subject area.

Like elementary teaching degrees, future educators who are interested in working in secondary level classrooms will complete a variety of courses in teaching methods, psychology, and other general education classes. Additionally, degree-seekers in secondary education programs will be required to declare a major and minor area of study from areas including English, mathematics, science, psychology, business, and more.

In order to fully qualify to be a teacher in districts throughout the United States, education professionals are required to successfully pass examinations in teaching areas. Elementary teachers must pass a test based on either general classroom subjects or a specialized area such as music, physical education, art, or a foreign language. Teaching professionals who are seeking opportunities in secondary level classrooms must complete a test in a major and minor area of study to earn certification. Additional requirements, such as student teaching, are also necessary, depending on district and location.

Certification is granted for kindergarten through sixth grades or seventh through twelfth grades. Both certifications can help a teaching professional meet the requirements to teach at the intermediate level, depending on the grade level. There are also options for kindergarten through seventh or eighth grades and seventh through twelfth. Full requirements for teacher certification by state can be found at the U.S. Department of Education website.

Depending on subject matter expertise, interest, and goals, a future education professional can choose to specialize in teaching specific age groups and grade levels. With the right education and certification, an intermediate teacher will be prepared to lead students in fifth through eighth grade classrooms.

Beginning in fall 2020, ILA will offer ILA National Recognition and ILA National Recognition With Distinction of initial licensure programs for the roles of elementary/intermediate classroom teachers.

Program faculty who prepare elementary/intermediate classroom teachers are invited to examine their program using the standards and matrices delineated in Standards 2017 to determine if they meet the criteria for ILA National Recognition and ILA National Recognition With Distinction.

Institutions submit a self-study that will be evaluated by a team of ILA-trained reviewers. Specific attention will be paid to how programs align with elements and rubrics identified in Standards 2017. If your self-study garners distinguished results and approval, you will receive ILA National Recognition.

Programs that have earned ILA National Recognition and garnered distinguished ratings and approval may advance to Stage II, which involves a site visit to your institution. A team of ILA-trained reviewers will be tasked with assessing your program through the dual lens of Standards 2017 and your self-study as well as conducting interviews with faculty, administrators, and current and former students.

The student's mother said Gray called her at home and said "he did not know how to connect with her daughter and was defiant in the classroom," court documents said. She believed the phone call occurred between April and May 2018.

The student's mother said she contacted Fall Creek Intermediate's school counselor and told him that her daughter was being disciplined privately in the small group room. The counselor told her the school's then-principal Randy Schoeff would contact her "because it was an issue with the teacher."

Schoeff told investigators he retired from the Hamilton Southeastern School District and said he did not have any notes from the 2017-18 school year, according to court documents. He said he recalled the student's parents contacting him about a problem with Gray in the small group room, but "he did not suspect abuse was occurring."

Kumu Michelle Pieper, a Hawaiian language teacher at Nānākuli High and Intermediate, teaches sustainability as part of her project-based learning initiatives. The student hui under her tutelage, Scrappahz Union, explores innovative and inexpensive ways to recycle and take better care of the environment.

While its goal is to educate, engage, and empower the youth of Waiʻanae, and instill a commitment to practice and teach sustainable solutions to waste management, the Scrappahz Union is cultivating farther-reaching impacts.

Nānākuli High and Intermediate earned the top prize for using cardboard shredding machines to upcycle boxes into mulch for farmers, packaging for shipping as an alternative to bubble wrap, compostable planting pots, and other eco-friendly products.

In 2020, the group started Sustainability Saturdays as a way for students to give back to the community, and also earn community service hours to graduate. On the first Saturday of every month, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., people can bring their unwanted cardboard to Nānākuli High and Intermediate to be shredded and exchanged for fresh produce from local farmers.

Piper plans on taking the $15,000 in contest earnings to buy cardboard shredders for six or more schools on Maui, depending on how far the funds can stretch. She is working with lawmakers, community advocates, and educational stakeholders to determine which schools will receive the cardboard shredders. She also plans on bringing her students to help facilitate workshops on how to start the sustainability program and operate the machines.

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association is the exclusive representative of 13,000+ public school teachers statewide. As the state affiliate of the 3-million member National Education Association, HSTA represents and supports teachers in collective bargaining, as well as with legislative and professional development issues.

Edy Whitson, 6th RLA Teacher, is amazing! Not only does she consistently support students in the classroom, but she is constantly stepping up to help with all of fun events we have on campus. She plays a vital role in her team's PLC and also puts in extra time to help with STUCO!

Mrs. Stewart , Campus Librarian, has been an invaluable resource to our campus. She leads an awesome GT program and does so many things to help our teachers and staff behind the scenes. She is always there when we need her!

Mrs. Evans, our campus secretary, works very hard to take care of our staff and students. She does many behind the scenes things to help make our campus a special place! We appreciate everything she does!

Mrs. Burnham is our energetic 5th Grade Science teacher and team facilitator! Her hard work in her classroom and leadership position have had tremendous impacts on student growth and the growth of those on her team!

The Magnolia Education Foundation presents the November 2023 Teacher of the Month, Jan Dollar. She is a sixth-grade math teacher at Magnolia Intermediate and is making a difference for students and among her peers. Congratulations! Thank you to our sponsors, Chick-fil-A, ClearWater Express Wash, Gringo's, H-E-B, and Raising Cane's.

Mrs. Briones is an incredible 6th grade ELAR teacher! She has done many amazing things with her students in her classroom! She also runs our student council which has already done many amazing things this year that our students and staff have enjoyed!

Mrs. Kinsey is our awesome Reading Intervention teacher whose students consistently show growth! She also runs our Lonestar Leadership Organization which has a positive cultural impact on our campus and community!

Congratulations to our 5th grade Science PLC for winning Secondary PLC for the month of October! Magnolia ISD has recognized the hard work of this team. This is the second team on our campus to be recognized for their dedication to students! Go Mustangs!

Congratulations to our 5th grade PLC for winning Secondary PLC for the month of September! Magnolia ISD has recognized the hard work of this team. They are the only PLC team to have earned this award twice! Way to go, Mustangs!

Ms. Garcia has been truly instrumental in ensuring a positive, seamless transition for students, staff, and the admin team, resulting in a successful start to the 2023-2024 school year. Her dedication to our Mustang family has not gone unnoticed!

Our STAAR results are in, and we are excited about how much growth our students made! Congrats to all of our teachers and students who worked tirelessly toward this accomplishment! We want to especially recognize Mrs. Cowger! 100% of her students met growth expectations last year! She is amazing!

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