Howard HS Student Gains Hands-On Experience Through Teacher Academy

January 7th, 2026

Howard High School senior Ryan Schwab says he was “only a little nervous” when he conducted the Lime Kiln Middle School (LKMS) Chamber Chorus at their winter concert in December.

“We had worked hard on the song I was conducting and I knew the students were prepared. I just wanted to make sure I did my part to foster an environment where they could perform at their best,” Schwab says.

Schwab began working with LKMS chorus teacher Caleb Lee and Lee’s students this fall as part of his enrollment in Howard County Public School System’s (HCPSS) Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM). The program, in which students can enroll in as early as freshman year, affords students interested in teaching the opportunity to take foundational teaching courses and participate in a year-long field experience with a mentor teacher in an HCPSS school.

“I have had such a great experience teaching at LKMS,” Schwab says. “I’ve learned so much about the importance of building relationships with students and using different strategies to keep them engaged. And Mr. Lee is just awesome. I love working with him. He is one of the kindest, most supportive people I know. He consistently gives me opportunities to lead the class and is always open to my ideas. And if I make a mistake, I never feel judged. Mr. Lee just tells me how I can improve next time.”

At the same time, Schwab says Lee gives him space to develop his own teaching style.

“Mr. Lee shares his experience and provides guidance to help me be more effective in the classroom, but he always gives me the freedom to teach my own way. I really appreciate that,” Schwab notes.

Lee says that he, too, has benefitted from Schwab’s presence in the classroom, as have his students.

“From the first day, [Ryan] has shown not just how capable he is with teaching, but he has demonstrated amazing interpersonal skills that have helped him relate to the middle schoolers,” Lee notes.

Lee also values the unique perspective Schwab brings to the classroom, as well as Schwab’s ability to inspire and motivate students.

“[Ryan] sees and hears things that I do not always pick up on. His ability to immediately step in to help students with parts that they struggle with is part of the reason that our choir has found success this year,” Lee observes. “Ryan is definitely a role model for many of my students. They want to be able to do what he does, and so they allow him to push them, and they then push themselves further to grow. He has done a lot for my young singers.”

With only one semester left in his field experience, Schwab says he has clear goals in mind.

“I want to keep working hard and get to a place where Mr. Lee can comfortably sit back while I take the lead. And I want to keep challenging my students and having them realize that once they dial in and focus, they are capable; they can do hard things.”

Schwab’s post-high school plans are still being finalized, but he intends to study musical theater and hopes to one day teach high school music.

The Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) is one of HCPSS’s many career academies, all of which are designed to prepare students for college and entry-level employment in specific career areas. More information about those academies, including TAM, is available online.