LA PLATA, Md. (November 20, 2010)—Charles County Public Schools held its third annual Future Educators Association (FEA) local conference, “Teaching is the Gateway to the World,” on Friday, Nov. 12, at the College of Southern Maryland’s La Plata campus. More than 200 students participated in the event, which consisted of guest motivational speakers and informative workshops hosted by school system teachers and administrators.
As part of the conference, students participate in two 30-minute workshops designed to educate them on opportunities in the field of education, use of technology in the classroom, teacher certification programs, the impact of social media and education, as well as information regarding available college programs and financial aid. The conference is also designed to offer FEA members with opportunities to hear from school leaders about their educational experiences.
Rita Pierson, Ed. D., a motivational speaker with more than 30 years of experience in the field of education, also served as the keynote speaker, and shared classroom lessons learned and tips on becoming a master teacher with students.
The conference also features several challenging competitions for students, ranging from a lesson planning and delivery event to a job application competition. Mattawoman Middle School’s FEA chapter received an award in the centerpiece competition, in which student members were tasked with creating an arrangement that best portrayed this year’s theme. The FEA chapter from Maurice J. McDonough High School received an award for their centerpiece among the high school chapters.
Jessica Green, an eighth-grade student at Theodore G. Davis Middle School, received an award in the FEA moment competition. The purpose of this competition is to showcase students whose FEA experience has helped convince them to become educators.
North Point High School junior Shelby Burton received an award in the lesson planning and delivery competition, which requires students to create and present a lesson to students. Additionally, Shayla Anderson, a junior at Maurice J. McDonough High School, received an award in the job application event, in which students are judged on a resume, cover letter and participate in an interview to develop their writing and personal skills.
Each Charles County Public middle and high school has an FEA chapter for students in grades 6 – 12 who are interested in becoming educators. Student members are asked to pledge to serve as role models for their participation in FEA by promoting a positive attitude toward education to enhance the quality of educational programs.
More than 235 Charles County Public Schools students are active in FEA chapters. Westlake High School has the largest participation in FEA with 33 student members. North Point High School has the second largest FEA chapter, with 24 student members, followed by Milton M. Somers Middle School, with 21 student members.
The FEA aims to motivate middle and high school students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in education while studying teaching, working to improve the image of teaching, boosting faculty morale and linking students, parents and the community together. Through hands-on career exploration opportunities, FEA members assume leadership roles and develop professional skill sets that will serve them throughout their careers. Visit http://www.futureeducators.org/ for more information.
Source: Charles County Public Schools