For Jacob Guilbe, a Level 3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) student at Berks Career and Technology Center (BCTC), teaching is more than just a career goal, it’s a calling inspired by the care and support he experienced as a child. He is already making strides toward his dream of shaping young minds.
Jacob’s inspiration to pursue teaching came from his elementary school years. Reflecting on the teachers who prioritized his well-being as much as his education, he shared, “I’ve wanted to create a good classroom environment. As a child, having a grown-up care about a child means a lot. There is a lot of growth and development going on in a student.
Choosing BCTC’s ECE program was a deliberate decision, driven by its unique partnership with the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) Head Start childcare program located on-site. “I wanted to jump in with preschoolers directly on site at BCTC. High school really wasn’t my thing, which is why I switched to Berks Online Learning (BOL). Having a smaller connection with people at BCTC versus transitioning to 11 different classrooms made me feel more comfortable,” he explained.
Jacob’s favorite part of working with the Head Start program? “Seeing their smiles when I work with them,” he said, with a grin.
In addition to his studies at BCTC, the senior balances an internship at Wyomissing Elementary School, where he works with his former second-grade teacher, Mrs. Kraft—a relationship that holds deep personal significance. “In second grade, my mom was battling cancer and in and out of hospitals. Mrs. Kraft became my support person. That’s why I feel education is important, but a student’s well-being is equally important,” Jacob shared.
At his internship, Jacob arrives each day around 12:30 p.m. to observe the students, lead small groups, and teach lessons. “I usually run a reading lesson, but I recently created a math lesson plan, gave the assessment, and graded it. The teaching methods are the same that I remember from second grade, but now, all the kids have iPads!”
Comparing his experiences with preschoolers at Head Start to second graders, Jacob noted, “Preschoolers’ conversations are short and simple, while second graders can hold full conversations. Their learning abilities are more developed because their brains have grown so much.”
This driven student doesn’t stop there. As the Treasurer of BCTC’s SkillsUSA chapter, Jacob attended the Fall 2024 leadership conference and recently competed in the district competition, earning second place in Extemporaneous Speaking. “It was a great learning experience, and I still keep in touch with many people I met there,” he said. Jacob has also served as BCTC Student Ambassador for two years.
Outside of school, he serves as a Team Leader at Chick-fil-A, further honing his leadership skills. Jacob’s plans include attending Shippensburg University to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Elementary Education, teaching for 10 years in Berks County, and eventually pursuing a doctorate to become a principal, superintendent, and, one day, the founder of his own charter school.
He credits his success to the relationships he’s built at BCTC. “Students come to BCTC for the program, but an important part of the program is your instructor. You develop a close bond with them over three years. My instructor, Mrs. Lenhart, welcomed me into the classroom and has been someone I can go to for anything.”
With his passion for teaching and commitment to making a difference, Jacob is on the path to creating the kind of caring, supportive classroom environment that first inspired him to pursue this journey.