Kansas helps high school students explore teaching careers

Kansas high school students will get to experience what it takes to be a teacher at the Kansas Future Teacher Academy in Emporia June 18-22.  The academy will consist of 24 students and will be held on the Emporia State University campus.

This year's academy is funded in part by the Kansas legislature.  This is the 17th year for the Kansas Future Teacher Academy.  The KFTA is coordinated by the Jones Institute for Educational Excellence at ESU.

"The goal of the academy is to expose high school students in Kansas to the rewards of the teaching profession," said Scott Waters, director of the ESU academy. "Having two locations allows students to benefit from this exciting opportunity without having to drive great distances."

Students are accepted into the academy based upon their academic standing, involvement in school and community activities, and interest in exploring a career in teaching. 

Participants will be involved in numerous activities during the week, including those centered on opportunities in education, problem-solving and leadership skills, personal goal setting, and technology in education.  They will tour the National Teachers Hall of Fame and will get to meet 1994 NTHF inductee Rich Ruffalo. Besides being a former teacher, Ruffalo is a track and field athlete who set new world records in the Paralympic Games after losing his eyesight.

The U.S. Department of Education predicts that within the next 10 years, the national will need 2.2 million new teachers in the classroom.  This is due to the aging of the current teacher population and the lowered requirements for retirement negotiated in teacher contracts.

For more information about the academy, contact Terri Weast at 620-341-5372 or Scott Waters at 620-341-5764.

2006 Kansas Future Teacher Academy Participants
High School – Student Name(s)

Andale High School - Bridget Vaughn
Beloit Jr/Sr High School - Brenna Heidrick

Bonner Springs High School - Brianna VanSchoelandt

Council Grove - Allyson Montgomery

Derby High School - Amanda Knabe

DeSoto High School - Chrissie Davis

Ellsworth High School - Jessica Geide

Holcomb High School - Megan Kirkhart

Leavenworth High School - Sam Jones

Manhattan High School - Jon Rivers

Marion High School - Nikki Johnson

Mill Valley High School - Justin Eifert

Norwich High School - Levi Poindexter

Olathe South High School - Kaitlyn Tompkins

Scott Community High School - Josh Percival
Shawnee Mission North High School - Max Maier, Katy Stithem, Kristin Wood

Shawnee Mission NW High School - Catherine Barrett

Shawnee Mission South High School - Meghan Minardi

Smith Center Jr/Sr High School - Dairiane Schoen

St. Paul High School - Fawn Gahman

Wetmore High School - Amy Niehues

Wichita Heights High School - Brittney Hamilton

 

Last Updated July 2, 2007>