More than 100 Students Attend Future Teacher Conference

More than 100 students from eight area schools participated in the first Fall 2024 Future Teacher Conference, held September 20 at UNCW’s Watson College of Education. Future Teacher events, held each semester, give high school and community college students an opportunity to visit campus and learn more about education programs at Watson.

The day began with a welcome address from Watson College Dean Tracy Linderholm, followed by a series of  a series of workshops and presentations by faculty members in WCE’s Middle Grades, Special Education and Healthful Living & Fitness Education programs and tours of the Ed Lab and Curriculum Materials Center. Students also had an opportunity to participate in STEM activities with CESTEM Program Associate Michelle Hafey and to discover their teacher identity in a session led by PDS Director Somer Lewis.

During the full-day conference, students also enjoyed a complimentary lunch at The Shore and a panel discussion with Watson students Morgan Gearren, Mackenzie Johnson, Ashlee Richardson and Arden Yates.

Participants said they learned a lot, including how to connect with students and how to create a welcoming community within a classroom, that growth is better than getting the highest grade in the class and that music can change people's perspective of teaching and how their students learn.

“It was everything I expected and a lot more,” one student said. “I don't know how you could improve it besides somehow shortening the bus ride there and back!”

Watson College of Education Recruiter Dean Heath coordinates WCE’s Future Teacher Conference events.

“Every time we host a Future Teacher Conference, I feel renewed and flooded with positivity by the number of high school students who attend to learn more about the teaching profession,” Heath said. “Last year, we actually had so many interested in attending that we had to turn people away so we have added a second conference event this fall. While speaking to a group students in September, I asked them to share a bit about the teachers who made a difference in their lives. Some of the educators they mentioned were in the room at the time, and beamed with pride!”

Students from Clinton High School, Duplin Early College High School, Jacksonville High School, Richlands High School, Swansboro High School, Topsail High School, Trask High School and Whiteville High School participated in the September conference.

Future Teacher Conference events are held each semester. The next FTC event will be held on November 15. High schools, community colleges and home school groups that would like to bring students to UNCW’s Watson College to learn about education as a career are invited to contact Dean Heath at heatht@uncw.edu.