The second semester has settled upon Bowie, as the fourth six weeks draws to a close, and choice sheets will soon follow. Teachers and students are already working on posters promoting classes and many of the ones already adorning Bowie’s halls aim to recruit students for child development.

“I would really like to tell Bowie students to join because it is a really fun class even if you don’t want to go into a career with kids,” sophomore Camryn Cuchia said.

The class opens further options for students who are interested in working with children, like Ready Set Teach.

“I really like kids and I would really like a career working with kids, and I think this class is a great start to that career,” Cuchia said.  

The class takes an interactive approach to learning which many of the students find sets it apart from other classes at Bowie.

“Everyday we had a little project or something fun to do that made it more interesting than just taking notes,” senior Nicole Villegas said.

Laura Barnes, one of the child development teachers believes that the class is different from other electives due to the importance of the topics discussed in the class.  

“We talk about real life issues,” Barnes said. “Each class has its own  personality and we really get into things which I think is important.”

Topics like how to properly care for a child have prepared students for possible teaching careers.

“It gives a lot of information that you can use like dealing with behavior and knowing that everybody else is different in the way they learn,” Villegas said.

It has also provided many students with lessons that help them outside of the classroom.

“Its taught me how to be more responsible,” Villegas said. “It’s also taught me how to be more aware of people’s feelings.”

Although Barnes, like all teachers, has a curriculum to follow, her goal is to teach her students things that cannot be tested.

“I find giving meaningful tests challenging,” Barnes said. “I want them to learn and apply it to life.”