Sen. Roberts visits ESU; urges more to become teachers

“We have an ‘unperfect storm’ brewing,” said U. S. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), and he wasn’t talking about the sleet and ice that accompanied his visit to Emporia State University Thursday, Feb. 21.

Roberts spoke to students from The Teachers College at ESU, noting that they are the front line of efforts to counteract a shortage of teachers that schools across the country are experiencing.

“A lot of teachers are leaving the profession, and not as many teachers are graduating from our colleges of education,” said Roberts. “We really need to encourage new students to enter the field of education, and we need to support them in the classroom to make sure they stay in this rewarding, but sometimes very difficult job.”

The senator’s agenda included lunch with Dr. Michael R. Lane, ESU president, prior to meeting with teacher education majors. Later in the afternoon, Roberts and his wife, Franki, traveled to Village Elementary School in Emporia, where he read to a class of fourth grade students.

Last Updated February 25, 2008>