College Students Join the Class
Who teaches future teachers? Teachers, of course!
Northstar recently hosted nine Randolph-Macon College students on campus. A mix of Exceptional Education majors, Elementary Ed majors, and General Education majors, they shadowed Northstar teachers during their January term, an abbreviated three-week course between RMC’s fall and spring semesters.
This special course is taught by Dr. Amber Peacock and aims to teach students how to develop and implement educationally useful IEPs (Individualized Education Plans). IEPs are legal documents that educators and parents use to make decisions about instructional goals, accommodations, and placements for students with disabilities.
“Northstar’s collaboration between students, teachers, and faculty creates a home-like environment. From the conversations between peers to the conversations in the classroom, it’s clear how Northstar cares for every student.”
-Blaine, RMC '27
The course requires each student to complete several hours of fieldwork observing student engagement or behavior in a K-12 classroom setting. Over the three week time period, the undergrads sat in a variety of classrooms, from the Lower School to Specialized Reading to Career Center. Between chatting with host teachers and getting to know Northstar students, they took notes on how teachers used individualized strategies for supporting students.
“Northstar is the epitome of presuming competence for your students,” said RMC student Allie about her experience shadowing Health and P.E. class. “Everything is student-focused.”
The undergrads emphasized how their observations tied in to what they were learning back on their home campus, especially on creating an effective, inclusive classroom environment. "The fieldwork is directly applied to the class," noted RMC student Addy, who shadowed an Upper School History classroom.
“This school has been one of the most inspiring and impactful placements I’ve had,” said Haley, who shadowed Career Center’s Business Technology class and aims to work in a career and technical education (CTE) program after graduation, “I’ve seen and heard so many different teaching strategies.”
This new partnership between Randolph-Macon and Northstar opens doors to possibly hosting future undergraduate interns or student teachers.
Pet Care as a Profession: Why the Veterinary Assisting Program at Northstar Career Center Opens Doors for Animal-Loving Students
For students who adore animals and dream of working with them every day, the Veterinary Assisting program at Northstar Career Center offers a meaningful, hands-on pathway to real career opportunities. In a laboratory-style classroom that resembles a real veterinary office, students learn to handle, care for, and manage animals — along with the administrative and customer-service skills needed in the pet-care field.
Whether students envision caring for pets in a clinic, working in a kennel, grooming animals, or offering personalized pet services, this program lays a foundation that connects passion with professional purpose.
Section 1: Hands-On Learning in a Realistic Veterinary Setting
Northstar’s Veterinary Assisting program places students in environments that feel like actual workplaces — not just classrooms. Here, students:
- Practice safe and humane animal handling
- Learn animal care routines and facility maintenance
- Manage paperwork and client communication
This experiential approach strengthens skills through doing rather than just observing, which helps students gain confidence and independence before entering the workforce.
Section 2: Career Paths for Animal-Loving Students
One of the most exciting aspects of the Veterinary Assisting program is the range of career options it can help prepare students for. For people who love animals and want to turn that passion into work, possible pathways include:
Veterinary Assistant
Graduates can support veterinarians and technicians by caring for animals, assisting with treatments, preparing exam rooms, and interacting with pet owners — all foundational duties in veterinary clinics and animal hospitals.
Kennel Attendant / Animal Care Worker
In animal shelters, boarding facilities, and kennels, attendants feed, exercise, and clean up after animals regularly. These roles are essential in ensuring the health and well-being of pets in care.
Pet Sitter or Pet Care Specialist
For students interested in flexible, independent work, pet sitting offers a way to care for pets in their owners’ homes while owners are away — feeding, walking, and providing companionship daily.
Grooming and Basic Care Roles
Although some grooming roles require additional training, basic grooming skills like bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and coat care are valuable in many animal-care settings and can complement other job duties.
By exposing students to real animal care experiences, the program helps them clarify their interests and opens doors to careers that range from hands-on clinical work to independent pet services.
Section 3: Skills That Make Students Work-Ready
Northstar’s program goes beyond animal care techniques. Students practice:
- Professional communication with pet owners and coworkers
- Workflow management with assistive technologies and organizational systems
- Problem solving and independence on real tasks both in the classroom and community settings
These transferable skills are crucial not only for veterinary work but also for other job settings where responsibility, attention to detail, and interpersonal skills matter.
The program also offers opportunities to earn credentials — such as certifications from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) — to help students stand out in the job market.
Section 4: Real-World Experiences That Build Confidence
Northstar students don’t just learn about animal care, they do it. One example is the veterinary assisting class’s embryology project, where students care for fertilized eggs, monitor embryo growth, and experience the hatching process firsthand. These kinds of immersive, purpose-driven activities deepen engagement and foster pride in skill mastery.
These experiential moments help students develop critical thinking, responsibility, and empathy — qualities employers value highly in animal-care professions.
Section 5: Preparing for Long-Term Success
Through the Veterinary Assisting program, students build a portfolio of skills, experiences, and credentials that can be documented on resumes and shared with future employers. Northstar also supports students in transitioning to the workforce by:
- Helping them practice workplace expectations and social communication
- Encouraging reflection on career goals and next steps
- Linking graduates with community partners and employers who value skilled, compassionate workers willing to learn and grow
This career-focused support helps students enter competitive job markets with confidence and clarity about where their love of animals can take them next.
Conclusion
For animal lovers who want to turn their passion into a profession, the Veterinary Assisting program at Northstar Career Center offers an engaging, hands-on, and skill-building path forward. By blending practical pet care instruction with real-world experience, the program not only trains students for roles like veterinary assistant, kennel attendant, pet sitter, and more — it also fosters confidence, independence, and job readiness.
If you or someone you know dreams of working with animals, this program can be a springboard to meaningful work and a fulfilling career. Explore the possibilities and support vocational experiences that help students succeed in the pet care industry.