This seminar engages students directly with the exciting work of teaching, curriculum development, and working with youth in middle and high school classrooms. Explorations of vital areas of education are joined with discussions of important contemporary issues facing youth, teachers, and our school systems.  The development of engaging and creative learning environments is a central focus, as are teacher practices which support the academic, social, emotional, and identity strengths and needs of youth. A laboratory session allows students to practice teaching lessons and an accompanying carefully chosen field placement involves students in a public school classroom one day a week. This course is designed for seniors in the Wellesley Secondary Teacher Education Program, and for others who do not plan to complete teacher training at Wellesley, but who want to teach after graduation or explore what teaching might be like.