Greenville Hosts Annual iTeach Conference for Future Educators

Greenville Hosts Annual iTeach Conference for Future Educators

Event Brings Together Aspiring Teachers from Multiple Counties

Greenville, SC – On September 5, the 16th annual iTeach Conference for Future Educators took place at the Roper Mountain Science Center, attracting around 535 high school students from Greenville, Pickens, Oconee, Anderson, and Spartanburg counties. The conference aims to inspire and prepare young people who are considering a career in education.

With increasing teacher vacancies reported across South Carolina, this event comes at a crucial time. The South Carolina Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement noted that there were 1,613 vacancies at the start of the 2023-24 school year, marking a 9% increase from the previous year. This highlights the urgent need for trained educators in the state.

Rachel Turner, a specialist in the Greenville County Schools Future Teacher Academy, emphasized that this year’s turnout was the largest ever. Students had the chance to participate in eighteen workshops, where they learned vital teaching skills, including techniques for using technology in the classroom.

Turner stated, “The idea is that these students go in and get these skills, and then they take them back to the field where they’re working with teachers.” The conference also featured a college fair, offering information about scholarship opportunities from fifteen colleges. Alongside engaging workshops, attendees enjoyed activities like yoga in the classroom, prize wheels, and teacher table talks.

Elizabeth Alverson, a senior at Riverside High School and a member of the Future Educators Academy leadership team, shared her positive experience. She noted, “I’ve been given just so many cool things and resources to help me grow as a teacher at such a young age. So it really is awesome.”

The Future Teacher Academy at Greenville County Schools allows students to earn about 12 hours of college credit from Clemson University, as well as 150 hours of field placement work in local schools, setting them on a path toward fulfilling careers in education.