Karrah Drummond, was convinced she’d go to medical school until she decided to “geaux teach.” Drummond, biological science and primary education freshman, said she heard about Geaux Teach at freshman orientation. The program allows freshman and sophomore students to teach elementary students while earning a degree in math or science and a secondary teaching certificate.Drummond said after deciding to take the introduction course, she’s now considering teaching 12th grade biology when she graduates. Math and science students can now find out if they want to teach while earning a degree by taking a free one-hour class through the Geaux Teach program offered at the University. Sharon Besson, Geaux Teach math and science coordinator,  said there is a desperate need for more math and science teachers on both a national and local level.Geaux Teach is “trying to meet the need for teachers,” she said. This semester is the first time the Geaux Teach class has been offered. The one-hour introduction course to teaches math, biology, chemistry or physics, Besson said.Drummond said she enjoys the class because it’s interactive and allows her to gain first-hand experience in teaching. “[They] teach it to you as if you were the kid,” Drummond said. “Then they go back and teach it to you as a student.” Students will have the opportunity to teach three times during the semester at the University Terrace elementary school, Besson said.”I teach my first class tomorrow,” Drummond said. “I observed last week and love the atmosphere of the classroom.” She said she’s already getting class experience in her freshman year of college.The Geaux Teach introduction course next semester will offer three one-hour sections, and the next course in the program will be offered once, she said. As students advance in the program, they will have the chance to teach at other East Baton Rouge Parish schools.The first two courses are one-hour introduction classes to give students a chance to see if they want to major in math or science and receive their teaching certificate, Besson said. The course is one day a week for 1 1/2 hours. “If they take the course and pass with a C or better, they get $170 back,” Besson explained. “It’s the price for a one-hour class.”She said any student can take the introduction courses, and students do not have to declare their major in math or science until after taking the first two one-hour classes.Students who are going into a medical career and studying for their undergraduate degree in science can also take the course because it gives them more options, she said.  After graduating, the student will have a degree in a math or science field and a secondary teaching certificate enabling them to teach grades six through 12. Geaux Teach is having information sessions Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and next Thursday from noon to 1 p.m.—-Contact Joy Lukachick at [email protected]