Exploring the impact of LCA’s TAP program
A stellar program we offer here on the Pridelands is Teaching As A Profession (TAP). It provides students opportunities to explore teaching and the intricacies of the profession.
Two students were exceptional this school year — seniors Rebecca Letke and Logan Hunt. They each shared the experiences they enjoyed in 2024-25.
Below is how the TAP program magnified their desire to pursue teaching as a profession.
Rebecca worked with Ms. Lydia Kay Blackburn and Ms. Jennilee Burton.
Q: In a general sense, what were your responsibilities?
A: With Ms. Blackburn, my responsibilities were to help keep the students on track, assist Ms. Blackburn in any way she needed, and I got the opportunity to teach them a whole lesson about portraits! With Ms. Burton, I helped her with anything she needed, led the students in vocal warm-ups, taught a lesson on Flat Keys, and got to play the ukulele in our performance at the Chorus concert.
Q: What are your long-term goals/career aspirations?
A: After this year, I have heavily considered becoming a teacher in art or music! I dream to one day have a job that fulfills the creative side of me and honors the Lord.
Q: How did the TAP program help enhance those for you?
A: Both of my TAP programs were big influential factors in my decision to go to school to become a teacher. I loved getting to work with middle school students in both of my TAP classes and getting to support them through such a difficult transition time in their lives. I could definitely see myself becoming a teacher; just hearing Ms. Blackburn talk about her job was so encouraging.
Q: What are your favorite experiences while participating in the program?
A: My favorite experience while doing these programs was getting to connect with the students. I loved just chatting with and teaching the middle schoolers art so that they could love it as much as I do! In chorus class, I was pushed more with my knowledge of music, and I loved getting to sing each day with the students!
Q: What advice would you give future students who participate in TAP?
A: I would encourage people who want to do TAP to DO IT!! It is so much fun, especially as a senior. If you have a specific hobby or career interest, these programs are great for honing your craft and learning how to teach students!
Logan shadowed Mrs. Melissa Farr and Mr. Ryan Baker.
Q: In a general sense, what were your responsibilities?
A: It was not every day, as I was still a participating wind player in the ensemble, but at least three times a week, I was tasked with warming up the ensemble. This activity was fun and helped me learn how to conduct and hear a band with a musically in-tune ear. I had to read a score whilst conducting at tempo and directing entrances and dynamics for the ensemble.
Q: What are your long-term goals/career aspirations?
A: I plan to attend Mercer University and major in Music Education. Upon graduation, I want to become a high school band director and continue to inspire and teach the younger generation the art of music.
Q: How did the TAP program help enhance those for you?
A: Before this last semester of my senior year, I had no clue how to even conduct the simplest things. An easy whole-note chorale was extremely daunting to even think about directing. The TAP program helped me to lay a foundation that, I think, the early stages of my college music education will greatly benefit from. Not everyone has the opportunity to formally learn to conduct and lead an ensemble; the TAP class/program helped me get a head start and boost my musical knowledge even higher.
Q: What are your favorite experiences while participating in the program?
A: My favorite time in the program was definitely when I conducted the ensemble in pre-performance exercises. To have the honor to lead my band once again, as a senior, was enough to make me grin from ear to ear.
Q: What advice would you give future students who participate in TAP?
A: Take a deep dive into it! The younger you are, the better. I learned so many things within the course in only one semester. To imagine what I could've done in a whole year is amazing. The more experience you can gain directly correlates with how much you will enjoy it. If you just jump right in and have fun with it, then you will never look back.
