by Bailey Matteson and Kaitley Petersen
FCCLA Education Professions is about developing skills to become future educators who succeed professionally and personally to make a good impact on kids, schools, and communities around us. Our mission as FCCLA Ed. Pro. is to organize committees and activities that allow us to participate in educational events and experiences, so that we make an impact as future teachers. FCCLA Ed. Pro. has a lot to offer, from having the opportunity to assist teachers in classrooms to organizing general community service projects. FCCLA Ed. Pro. offers laughs, fun, and friendships that will last beyond your time in the club itself. There are no regrets when joining FCCLA Ed. Pro. FCCLA stands for Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, with the mission of developing leaders who take initiative to make a positive impact on communities around them and instill family values that personally help them grow not just as the leaders they are but as people.
It’s been a busy first semester for FCCLA Education Professions at EFHS. This chapter started the year strong by collaborating with other CTE organizations on campus to collect water bottles to donate to the Andre House. Then, in September, the focus was on demonstrating school spirit to the community and bonding as an organization by building a float to participate in the Homecoming parade. Additionally, FCCLA Ed. Pro. attended Chapter Leadership Camp as a way to bond with the people in our chapter and learn new leadership skills that will benefit our chapter in the future. In November, at Fall Leadership Conference, the chapter heard from guest speakers, attended sessions, and grew as a chapter as they learned to stay connected with one another. Initiating their fundraising success, members organized “Pie-ling on the Compliments” as a way to foster kindness and selfless devotion in our school, as kids and teachers ordered pies that hid a kind message within them for a friend or loved one. As an ongoing project, FCCLA Ed. Pro. has encouraged membership by designing a school bulletin board to showcase its participation in events, upcoming opportunities, and general FCCLA facts. Lastly, the chapter has used “Member of the Month” certificates to highlight members within our chapter who have demonstrated leadership skills to benefit how our chapter functions and grows.
The remainder of this school year will be filled with the perfect blend of busyness and excitement for the FCCLA Education Professions chapter here at EFHS. With online state competitions on February 1st and the State Leadership Conference in Tucson on March 4-6th, members are in the final stages of refining their projects. This chapter is ready to enter the fierce competition with a boldness to showcase its leadership, confidence, service, and passion for education. Beyond competition, members are also planning an upcoming community service project and fundraiser- A Parent’s Night Out. Members will showcase the skills they’ve learned in Education Professions to plan a Valentine’s Day themed night of crafts, games, and activities for children to participate in. In addition, the Ed. Pro. class will be completing field experience from January-March. They have been blessed with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the classroom for three days a week. Students will observe classroom management strategies, work with small groups, and eventually teach at least one whole group lesson. FCCLA Ed. Pro. is ready to finish this school year out with heart, effort, and determination to serve their community.