The Student California Teachers Association of Sacramento State is helping future generations of students by preparing aspiring teachers at Sac State.

Kelsey Leachman, junior liberal studies major, said the club’s main purpose is to expose members to the teaching field through networking. “If we want to become teachers, it is really important to network,” Leachman said. “As a member, you will be able to meet people who have been teaching for many years, or even principals.”

By meeting these individuals, Leachman said, members are getting their names out into the teaching world, which will help them when looking for teaching positions.

“It’s all about who you network with,” Leachman said. “If you get your name out now, you will already have an advantage for when you leave college.”

Lina Tran, freshman liberal studies major and member of the association, said she was approached at the beginning of her college career to join the club and is happy she took the opportunity.

“This club is helping me for college by showing me exactly what it takes to become a teacher,” Tran said. “If I wasn’t a member, I would have no idea about what I need to do get all of the credentials needed.”

Tran said any students interested in a career in teaching can join the association.

“Most of our members are liberal studies majors or early childhood development majors,” Tran said. “But we are urging single-subject majors to join if they want to be teachers as well; they just have a specific major that they want to teach.”

Jacob Mickelson, junior early childhood development major, said being a member of the club is also preparing him for teaching after college.

“Next semester I will be a future communications officer, which will help me with my people skills and networking,” Mickelson said. “Plus, it will look great on my resume for when I go to apply for jobs in teaching.” Besides helping members, Mickelson said the club helps other people around the world as well.

“We are hosting an upcoming book drive where the proceeds will go to Better World Books, a program devoted to helping people who can’t afford pricey textbooks,” Mickelson said.

The book drive will run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Monday in the Union Station Lobby.

“We are taking the books that we can’t sell back and are selling those for a really cheap price,” Mickelson said. “Basically, we are donating our books for people who can’t afford them.”

To learn more about the association or how to become a teacher, Leachman said to attend the book drive and speak with any member of the club.

The association meets at 7 p.m. every Thursday in Alpine Hall, Room 144.

“As a teachers or leaders, we want to discuss all of the information we know,” Leachman said. “Education is power – we want people to be just as successful and knowledgeable as we are.”

Erin Rogers can be reached at [email protected]