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 24-28.  The academy will consist of 39 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 18th year for the Kansas Future Teacher Academy.  The KFTA is coordinated by the Jones Institute for Educational Excellence at ESU. Another academy is held at Dodge City Community College July 7-14.

"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. They will also meet with educators visiting the area that are part of the National State Teachers of The Year.

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.

2007 Kansas Future Teacher Academy Participants - High School – Student Name(s):

Andover Central – Christina Theisen

Arkansas City – Jayme DeHoux

Bishop Carroll Catholic – Christine Cantrell

Buhler – Matt Trowbridge

Clifton-Clyde – Molly Potuzak

Emporia – Anita Harris, Jessica Sichel

Hartford – Carmen Clark

Hiawatha – Corbin Gray

Junction City – Brittney Orr

Kingman – Samantha Thieme

Lansing – Delia Clifford, Samantha Pendleton, Alex Twitchel

Marion – Katie Maag

Marysville Sr – Gayle Skalla

Mill Valley – Derek Maybell, Brent McCoy

Mission Valley – Katelin Zeller

Neodesha – Clifford Lee

Olathe South – Nathan Hawley, Kaitlyn Lepping, Sara Sanders, Kristin Smith

Salina South – Brian Blake, Allison Gordon, Nora Rindt, Brelynn Schloo

Scott Community – Santanna McBride, Haley Wilcoxson

Shawnee Heights – Victoria Berroth, Victoria Crocker, Zachary McCall, Ashley Ogden

Shawnee Mission North – Jessica Brown

Smoky Valley – Sarah Kellogg

Sumner Academy – Frances Salazar-Zuniga

Thomas More Prep – Sarah Zerr

Turner – Kayla Daniels

 

Last Updated July 2, 2007>