FUTURE TEACHER CONFERENCE

October 21, 2022

Registration will open August 15. All high school students need to attend with a school chaperone. If you have any questions, please contact Kelli Appel at ksappel@ilstu.edu.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

A conference for high school students who are considering a career in education. This conference informs and inspires students about the process of becoming a teacher, and what to expect after graduation as they enter the classroom. Since its inaugural year in 2019, this conference has served nearly 1400 students.

SCHOLARSHIP

The College of Education will award a $1,000 scholarship to five seniors who attended the conference.

2021 Schedule

The 2022 schedule will be posted later this summer.

Join us as we kick off the 2021 conference with some entertaining and inspirational messages.

Brain-Based Social Emotional Learning: Teaching and Learning with the Whole Child in Mind - Abby Lyons
DeGarmo 20A, 20B and 24
Every student comes to school with a different experience of the world. In this session, we will explore Social Emotional Learning through a brain-based lens to make sense of the ways we can create supportive environments for all students.

Admissions and Financial Aid: How Do I Get In? And How Do I Pay for It? - ISU Financial Aid and Admissions
DeGarmo 551
Session will cover ISU admission and financial aid process, including grants for future teachers.

Classroom Drama: Become an Engaged Teacher by Using Creative Drama and the Arts in Your Classroom - Dr. Michael Vetere
DeGarmo 206
Discover how teachers can engage their students in learning by using the arts to excite creativity, social interaction, and learning. This active session will focus on creative drama and puppetry for future early childhood and elementary teachers.

Changing the World with Service Learning - Dr. Miranda Lin and Jill Hentrich
State Farm Hall of Business 132
Do you want to know how to change the world? By engaging in service learning, you are doing nothing less than changing the world for the better. This session will share what service-learning is and how to carry out a service project that lets you explore and begin to solve real-life problems, acquire deeper knowledge, new skills, newfound motivation, receptibility, and joy on and off the college campus. Come to this session to learn to seize the day and make your life extraordinary!

Is Teaching for Me? - Dr. Lindsey Jensen
DeGarmo 208
Lindsey Jensen's presentation is humorous and informative. This 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year will encourage potential educators to reflect on 10 powerful questions to determine whether or not education is the profession for them, and will ask attendees to examine the specific areas of education which they’ll find most fulfilling.

Class Observation: Current Topics and Issues in Education - Dr. Ben Wellenreiter
DeGarmo 209
Observe a senior-level teacher education course. Middle Level Professional Development School (PDS) preservice teachers will discuss an issue relevant to all Pre-K-12 teacher educators. The tentative title of discussion for this class is: “Illinois Mandated Units of Study: Who Decides the Curriculum and How it Gets Taught?”

Where Did All the Black Teachers Go and What Are We Doing About It? - Brandon Thornton and Jen Brooks
DeGarmo 039
Recently, there’s been a high demand for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our public schools. So, where do those demands of change fit in as future educators? This session will encourage future teachers to become agents of change through an exploration of the systemic (i.e., legal, social, political, historical) roots of the shortage of Black teachers. We will also discuss the benefits of having staff of color in K-12 education. You will be encouraged to reflect and implement an action plan that shapes a better future for our youth of color.

Student Panel
McCormick 255
Are you interested in hearing from the current Illinois State University education majors? Come have a dialogue with a panel of students to learn about their experiences on campus. The panel will be comprised of a variety of majors and there will be plenty of time to ask questions and learn about ways to get involved as an education major.

Be a STEM Superhero - Mandy White
DeGarmo 052
Become a STEM superhero as you learn how to incorporate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into your teaching. We will look at how Next Generation Science Standards and Practices lay the foundation for guiding students through STEM challenges. Learn ways to engage elementary learners in engineering experiences and fostering problem-solving.

How (and Why) to be a Redbird - Jeff Mavros
State Farm Hall of Business 131
Learn why students love Illinois State, how we prepare them for success, and how we help make it affordable.

From CPS Student to ISU Redbird - Apryl Riley
State Farm Hall of Business 148
Calling all CPS Students! Hear about ISU’s longstanding partnership with CPS and opportunities for scholarships, student teaching in CPS, and supports for success!

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Student Teaching
State Farm Hall of Business 366
Join student teachers and university student teaching supervisors for a panel discussion on what to expect during the student teaching experience. They will discuss the joys, excitement, challenges, and opportunities for growth provided by this capstone to the teacher education program.

Prepare Now to land Your Dream Teaching Job Later - Kristal Shelvin, Monica Wilks and Sherri Thomas
DeGarmo 306
Future teachers will learn tips and tricks to take advantage of targeted opportunities during college. The goal is to prepare strong applicants for future openings.

Identify Your Impact - Jennifer Panganiban
State Farm Hall of Business 135
We will talk about your personal “why” for teaching and how having that “why” can drive the passion that builds a great teacher. We will also discuss some of the key characteristics of teachers and the impact you, as a future teacher, can have on the world.

Digital Skills for Learning - Kristi Sutter
State Farm Hall of Business 133
What can learning and teaching look like in a digital age? The secret is…It is more than just tools and apps!

Introduction to Civic Engagement: Educating for Positive Change - Annie Weaver and Katy Strzepek
State Farm Hall of Business 145
What is civic engagement? Learn about this strategy for change and how teachers can integrate civic engagement.

Restorative Practices - Becky Beucher
State Farm Hall of Business 150
Restorative practices work to repair relationships between people and communities through shared learning and decision making which cultivates empathy and connection. In this interactive session, future teachers learn and practice the cultural foundations of restorative practices.

Listening Circles - Kevin Jones
State Farm Hall of Business 149
With roots in indigenous cultures around the world, listening circles provide people an opportunity to speak and listen to each other in an atmosphere of safety, decorum, and equality. To help people gain a shared sense of understanding and emotional connection, these circles can be used in communities, schools, organizations, and families.You will participate in a listening circle on a current topic and you will learn to facilitate listening circles for any topic your community requires.

Endorsement Basics and Teacher Shortage - Troy Hinkel
State Farm Hall of Business 131
Are you wondering how endorsements work and what endorsements you can earn? Learn about licensing, endorsements, and hear about a few of the most in-demand areas of education.

Classroom Drama: Become an Engaged Teacher by Using Creative Drama and the Arts in Your Classroom - Dr. Michael Vetere
DeGarmo 031
Discover how teachers can engage their students in learning by using the arts to excite creativity, social interaction, and learning. This active session will focus on creative drama and puppetry for future early childhood and elementary teachers.

Mindful Minutes for Teachers (and Learners) - Mandy White
DeGarmo 052
Take a minute that your future self will thank you for! Come learn mindful practices that you can use in your future classroom and as a learner now! You will get access to Mandy’s Mindful Minutes and experience how these practices can help you power up.

International Teaching - Monica Noraian and Erin Mikulec
DeGarmo 305
Do you enjoy travel, exploring the world, and learning new things? There are a lot of opportunities to internationalize your education while becoming a teacher at Illinois State University. This session will introduce you to some of the ways students are doing study abroad experiences during their teacher education sequence.

Be a L.I.D Lifter - Jamillah Gilbert
State Farm Hall of Business 149
Too often students are stifled by limitations, insecurities, and definitions given by others. As future teachers, we have a unique opportunity to lift those L.I.D.s!

Digital Skills for Learning - Kristi Sutter
State Farm Hall of Business 133
What can learning and teaching look like in a digital age? The secret is…It is more than just tools and apps!

A bag lunch will be provided. Table fair will include information from all education programs and many student organizations and other opportunities. Students will have a chance to win exciting prizes, including an iPad.

Becoming a Culturally Responsive Teacher - Dr. Dakesa Piña
DeGarmo 20A, 20B and 24
Engage with Dr. Dakesa Piña, College of Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer to learn about becoming a culturally responsive educator. Regardless of your background, learn the importance of crafting an inclusive teaching philosophy for your career as an educator.

Admissions and Financial Aid: How Do I Get In? And How Do I Pay for It? - ISU Financial Aid and Admissions
State Farm Hall of Business 145
Session will cover ISU admission and financial aid process, including grants for future teachers.

Listening Circles - Kevin Jones
DeGarmo 206
With roots in indigenous cultures around the world, listening circles provide people an opportunity to speak and listen to each other in an atmosphere of safety, decorum, and equality. To help people gain a shared sense of understanding and emotional connection, these circles can be used in communities, schools, organizations, and families.You will participate in a listening circle on a current topic and you will learn to facilitate listening circles for any topic your community requires.

Changing the World with Service Learning - Dr. Miranda Lin and Jill Hentrich
DeGarmo 208
Do you want to know how to change the world? By engaging in service learning, you are doing nothing less than changing the world for the better. This session will share what service-learning is and how to carry out a service project that lets you explore and begin to solve real-life problems, acquire deeper knowledge, new skills, newfound motivation, receptibility, and joy on and off the college campus. Come to this session to learn to seize the day and make your life extraordinary!

Endorsement Basics and Teacher Shortage - Troy Hinkel
DeGarmo 551
Are you wondering how endorsements work and what endorsements you can earn? Learn about licensing, endorsements, and hear about a few of the most in-demand areas of education.

Life in the College Classroom - Dr. Benjamin Wellenreiter, Dr. Andrea Jamison, Matt Blue, Sara Harms, and Dr. Maggie Morris Davis
State Farm Hall of Business 148/131
An ISU professor panel discussion about college coursework and what students can do to maximize their learning experiences. Includes a question and answer session.

How (and Why) to be a Redbird - Jeff Mavros
State Farm Hall of Business 132
Learn why students love Illinois State, how we prepare them for success, and how we help make it affordable.

Teaching High School: Options and Opportunities - Ryan Brown
State Farm Hall of Business 149
Learn about subject areas and extracurricular opportunities.

Student ambassadors will lead a 60 minute campus tour. The chaperone must sign up for this option on the registration form.

QUOTES FROM STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

It was great! It made my commitment to teaching even more solid.
The personal experiences and stories from students, teachers, professors and legislators were very insightful and helpful.
This was a fantastic conference for future educators. We would return with more students in the future. This was a great experience for students interested in the education program.

Future Teacher Conference