Living
Sparta students learn about different careers
Monday, 04 June 2012 by Matthew Girard
Sparta Elementary School students try on life jackets during the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife’s presentation last Friday at the school’s career day.Students at Sparta Elementary School got the opportunity to learn about possible future careers during the school's "Career Day" last Friday.
With professionals from around the city coming to the school, students learned about such careers as being a park ranger, fire fighter, police officer, city worker and even a goat farmer.
"They are seeing everything from nurses to farmers," 5th grade teacher Carlette Meyer said. "I think it opens them up to things they might not have thought about before. Most of them want to be football players or movie stars, but this maybe gives them ideas about something they might have never thought of before."
During the day, some students dressed as their future careers and also heard from different parents in the classroom, while outside the Belton Fire Department, Belton Police Department and several city departments had vehicles for the students to climb in and see for themselves.
Larry Zehr, of the City of Belton Water Department, said he enjoyed getting to inform the students about his job.
"It's interesting because the kids don't know a whole lot about what we do," Zehr said. "We actually take care of water samples, setting water meters, putting fire hydrants in the ground, repairing water mains and it's a never ending job really."
Park Ranger Todd Spivey said having all the different professionals was a great way to teach students about possible careers.
"It gives them an idea of what's out there and what's available," Spivey said. "We just want to show them the different things they can do in life."
