Teenagers today face a variety of challenges, including navigating their educational and career paths, maintaining mental and physical health, and finding meaningful ways to contribute to their communities. Programs like the 4-H Teen Teacher Corps provide valuable opportunities for teens to address these challenges head-on.
This program fostered teamwork, public speaking and problem-solving abilities, while positively impacting both high school and elementary students.
The national 4-H initiative aims to empower teens to take on leadership roles and mentor younger youths in various subject areas, such as agriculture, nutrition and community engagement. By participating in the 4-H Teens as Teachers program, teens across the country can develop valuable skills, give back to their communities and make a positive impact on the lives of younger children. The program is designed to be adaptable to the needs of different communities, allowing for a wide range of activities and focus areas.
In 2024, the Oregon State University Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Program partnered with Roosevelt High School in Portland to deliver 4-H Teens as Teachers to 10th grade students in the school’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. AVID is designed to help students prepare for college and career success.
The first phase focused on teen leadership and earning their food handler’s certification. Out of 102 participants, 95 students earned their certification. Many students were excited about this certification because it is often required for jobs in the food service industry, making them more competitive for summer employment.
The first phase ended with a field trip to the OSU Food Innovation Center in Portland. Students engaged in activities like making ice cream, developing sensory taste tests and testing quality control in food products.
The second phase involved the Roosevelt students reviewing and teaching lesson plans to elementary school students at Tucker Maxon School and The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science, as well as teaching a large field day experience.
The field day experiences were held at Tucker Maxon and Cottonwood on May 28 and May 29. High school students set up and led their stations for 56 Tucker Maxon and 48 Cottonwood students for an hour and a half. 4-H staff connected with elementary educators, who were impressed by the high school students' planning and role modeling.
As a result of their work, the Roosevelt High School students enjoyed practicing public speaking and felt prepared to engage young kids. The Roosevelt students and educators suggested leading two to three field days at different schools in 2025.
The 4-H Teens as Teachers program at Roosevelt High School equipped students with essential leadership skills and certifications, enhancing their competitiveness for summer jobs. This program fostered teamwork, public speaking and problem-solving abilities, while positively impacting both high school and elementary students.
