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Donated by UTAP

Urban Teacher Academy Program (UTAP) is a class and a club where students who are determined to work in schools, with kids, and teachers so that they can get that hands-on experience before they decide on their careers. This program was started by Mr. Sanchez back in 2021, because of the life-changing connection he created with teaching. He wanted to share that love by giving students the opportunity to work with teachers and kids from different schools to see if they hold that same passion.

Some ways they promoted this club was by getting students from different grades to present in each class at the end of the school year. “Some board members and I went around to each class presenting what UTAP is and showing that for the first time, we are offering this as a class,” shares President Jaelyn Perez. They also had an interest meeting at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, so that students who wanted to be in it could get interviewed and their spot could be finalized.

Mr. Sanchez and the board decided that the club would work best with sophomores, juniors, and seniors because “We wanted the freshman to focus on their first year of high school and then when they become sophomores they can advance to more complex classes which is why [we] have a club to get started with a mini experience,” states co-vice president, Leila Celeste. 

The benefits of this club are learning how to work with teachers, giving them a hand with the students, and helping them with teaching. It’s a nice way to understand and practice more about how to become a proper teacher and the way to work with kids. UTAP also offers mini-field trips to different elementary schools where teachers need a few more hands with the students. 

“On our field trips, we get to help out teachers on other campuses as well as on our own PPCHS campus. Some of our UTAP vets also get requested to be teachers’ assistants, and overall it’s a great community to explore what it’s like to be mini teachers and also other careers that have to deal with adolescents,” Celeste expresses.

UTAP has grown to success as PPCHS students slowly become more intrigued with the education field. UTAP has not only taught its members many lessons but also provided them with the help they need to become the best teacher they all will be.