Bainbridge High School Early Childhood Education students trained on September 23 to use ABii tutoring robots as they prepare to support children at Hutto Elementary, Jones-Wheat Elementary, and West Bainbridge Primary. The training is part of Classroom to Career, a partnership that brings together BHS Robotics and ECE students to support learning across Decatur County Schools.

Four ABii robots were built over the summer by the BHS [cy]Bearcats Robotics team. Two are planned for Hutto Elementary, one for Jones-Wheat Elementary, and one for West Bainbridge Primary. The robots provide short, interactive lessons in reading and math, but the ECE students will bring something a robot cannot: a person who can encourage a child, notice a misunderstanding, and celebrate a breakthrough.

During training, ECE students learned how to set up ABii, connect to the robot, and prepare a student for a lesson. They also explored their role alongside the technology. While ABii leads an activity, the ECE student helps the child stay engaged, watches for signs of frustration or confusion, and offers encouragement when a child needs to try again.

That work calls for the same judgment future teachers use every day. An ECE student might ask a child to explain an answer, help them listen to a direction again, or recognize that repeated mistakes point to a skill that needs more attention. The goal is to learn from each interaction so they can better support the child in front of them.

The partnership gives both BHS pathways a chance to put their skills to work. Robotics students learn by building the robots and exploring ways to create custom accessories. ECE students gain experience working with young learners and may eventually help design lessons connected to children’s interests. Innovative Technology provides setup and technical support as the robots move into schools.

For Bearcat Future Educators, the experience is part of a larger goal. The teacher pipeline gives students meaningful opportunities to explore education before they graduate and to see the difference they can make in Decatur County classrooms. We want to prepare future teachers here and give them a reason to come home and teach in our schools.

Today, these students are learning how to guide and encourage younger Bearcats, one child at a time.

Bearcat Future Educators: Lead with Intent. Learn with Purpose. Lift Every Learner.