Kansas Future Teachers Academy FAQs

30+ years. Lots of questions. Here's the ones we hear the most.

Do I have to know I want to be a teacher or go into a career in education?

In a word: no. This academy is a chance for you to explore teaching / career in education as a possible career choice. Some students start the academy not sure of what they want to do and by the end of the academy may be absolutely sure they do – or do not – want to become a teacher.

I am interested in teaching, I just don’t know what grade level or subject I would like to teach; will the academy help me?

We provide a range of activities to give you an insight into what it’s like to be teachers of all grade levels and subject areas. This includes talking one-on-one or in small groups with veteran teachers, working with children, and reviewing information about all that is involved in being a professional in education.

Do I have to be a senior to attend?

Over the nearly 30 years of the academy, we have found attendance is best enjoyed by high school students who have recently completed their freshmen year up to students who will be seniors in the next school year. It is very unusual for us to accept people who have already graduated from high school.

I know I want to teach, I know the grade level and subject I want to teach – how can the academy help me?

As the saying goes “The more you know….” Think of your idea of your future as a picture with thick fog around it. Our job at the academy is to help you get that fog to lift so you may have a better vision of what the picture of your future may be.

Do all people who attend the KFTA become teachers?

No. Some go to college and find other fields they’re interested in pursuing, others start as teachers and find they’re interested in counseling or becoming a school administrator.

Can only two students from the same high school attend?

The academy does not have any restrictions on the number of applications it can receive from a high school, nor does it select only a certain number of students from any one high school.

Are there requirements – high GPA, activities, membership in a Future Educators or Teachers of Tomorrow – for attending the academy?

No one factor is considered more than any other, that’s why the academy asks for your transcript as well as a personal essay and a letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and your abilities. A high GPA is not required - some of the best future teachers are the ones who have hit the most barriers to their learning and know how to help others get around those obstructions. Also, there is no need for any student to be nominated or selected by their school personnel.

Is the academy five days of sitting in a classroom?

Definitely not! Just as effective teaching is not about keeping students of all ages sitting at their desks, we have ways of making you learn about being a teacher that cover a range of activities, places, and devices to make you think about all your teachers do to prepare and engage students.

I’m in high school and I’ve had plenty of teachers, so I know what they do. Why should I come to the academy?

Some of you may have a close relative or someone in your life who is a teacher, so you may get glimpses into what s/he does as a teacher. Some of you may not. No matter what, as with any profession, we come with preconceived notions of what a person does as a nurse, policeman, doctor, accountant, secretary, teacher, etc. The academy allows you to see the profession in full: from what it’s like to be away from home and going to college to how to manage a classroom, from dealing with students who have problems and/or their families to teacher salaries and extra duty pay. It is five days packed full of information, experiences, and chances for you to learn not just about teaching, but about yourself and your future.

I’m a teacher/school counselor/high school administrator and I have a student who I think would do well at the academy, but the deadline has passed. What do I do?

Give us a call or send us an e-mail telling us about this student. Contact Todd Roberts at troberts@emporia.edu.