Greenville Welcomes Future Educators at Annual Conference
On September 5, Greenville hosted the 16th annual iTeach Conference for Future Educators at the Roper Mountain Science Center. The event gathered around 535 high school students representing Greenville, Pickens, Oconee, Anderson, and Spartanburg counties. This conference aims to address the growing need for educators in South Carolina, where school districts reported 1,613 teaching vacancies at the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year, marking a 9% increase from the year before.
Connecting Students with Opportunities
According to Rachel Turner, a specialist in the GCS Future Teacher Academy, this year’s turnout was the highest ever. The conference offered students a chance to hear from experienced educators, including keynote speaker Jaheim President, a teacher from Berea Middle School. In addition to the speeches, attendees participated in eighteen interactive workshops focusing on essential teaching skills and technology use in the classroom. “The idea is that these students gain skills and then apply them in their fields while working with teachers,” Turner explained.
Valuable Resources and Activities
The conference also featured a college fair with representatives from fifteen colleges, where students learned about scholarship opportunities available for aspiring educators. Other activities included teacher table talks, photo sessions with members of the GCS Board of Trustees, and a prize wheel. Participants enjoyed brain breaks and even yoga sessions designed for classroom settings.
Future Educator Academy Highlight
This year’s iTeach Conference was held alongside the district’s Future Teacher Academy, a program for high school students interested in teaching. By completing the program, students can earn up to 12 hours of college credit from Clemson University and gain 150 hours of practical experience in local schools. Elizabeth Alverson, a senior from Riverside High School, expressed her appreciation for the program, highlighting mentorship opportunities, professional development workshops, and the range of resources available to help her grow into a teacher. “It’s been really cool to have access to so many resources at such a young age,” she said.
The event not only inspires future educators but also helps meet the ongoing demand for teachers in South Carolina, ensuring the state is better equipped for the future.
