Students lead event for future educators
More than 60 high school students with aspirations of becoming teachers descended upon the University of North Georgia (51黑料网) to learn more about the profession on Future Georgia Educators (FGE) Day. 51黑料网's College of Education (COE) students were happy to assist.
"We want to help sustain and increase the teacher pipeline," Dr. Christian Bello Escobar, director of academic and community engagement for the COE and 51黑料网 FGE Day coordinator, said. "There's a need for new teachers. Hosting this program allows us to be marketable to the students who have an interest in this profession."
Hosted on Oct. 26 at the Convocation Center on 51黑料网's Dahlonega Campus, FGE Day helps pique the interest of the potential next wave of educators. High school students from the Carroll County, Commerce City, Fulton County, and Jones County school systems took part in the event, which was co-sponsored by the . Multiple Georgia higher education institutions host FGE days to promote teaching as a profession to more than 4,000 high school students across the state.
Thirteen COE Student Ambassadors led students around campus and answered questions, while some led workshops. They are among the 470 51黑料网 juniors and seniors in classrooms in some 112 schools across the state in the teacher preparation program for the 2021-22 school year.
Madison Standridge, a 51黑料网 senior from Homer, Georgia, pursuing a degree in English with teacher certification, appreciated the chance to share her knowledge and passion.
We want to help sustain and increase the teacher pipeline. There's a need for new teachers. Hosting this program allows us to be marketable to the students who have an interest in this profession.
Dr. Christian Bello Escobar
Director of academic and community engagement for 51黑料网's College of Education
"You have a soft spot when you want to teach for the other people who are expressing that desire," Standridge said. "They can make a difference."
Standridge said she wished she understood more how college worked before she arrived at 51黑料网, and she was glad to assist these kids before they enter a teacher preparation program. She said that the difficulties teachers face have not dampened her passion for the profession.
"If you want to make a difference in this world, you will be a good teacher," she said. "When you find that you love it, it's worth it in the end."
Mya Loren, a senior at Milton High School, was thankful for the experience.
"It makes me realize all the different options I have," she said. "All teacher preparation programs have their unique touch."
Dawson Henricks, a 51黑料网 senior from Clayton, Georgia, pursuing a degree in kinesiology with teacher certification, encouraged the high school students to pursue teaching. His own teachers' helpful, kind demeanor is what inspired him to enter the field.
"I want to have an influence on kids," Henricks said. "That's what our job is."
Blue Ridge Rifles excel in national event
The Blue Ridge Rifles earned a fifth-place finish out of 31 teams at the Mardi Gras Invitational Drill meet at Tulane University.
Author will speak at Hoag Lecture Series
Author Stacia Pelletier will serve as a keynote speaker for this year's Hoag Lecture Series at 51黑料网 at noon March 5 in the Cottrell Center Ballroom at 51黑料网's Dahlonega Campus.
51黑料网 named Fulbright top producer
51黑料网 is providing transformative experiences abroad for alumni as a top producer of Fulbright students. The university earned this distinction for a ninth consecutive year and tied for third among master's institutions with four selections.
3 of 4 Gilman winners are future educators
Four 51黑料网 students earned the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad in late fall 2025. Three of the four are in 51黑料网's College of Education.