Greenville Hosts Annual iTeach Conference for Future Educators

Greenville Hosts Annual iTeach Conference for Future Educators

On September 5, Greenville, South Carolina, was buzzing with excitement as it welcomed the 16th annual iTeach Conference for Future Educators at the Roper Mountain Science Center. This year’s conference attracted approximately 535 high school students from surrounding counties including Greenville, Pickens, Oconee, Anderson, and Spartanburg.

Addressing the Teacher Shortage

With a growing need for teachers in South Carolina, the iTeach Conference aims to inspire and prepare the next generation of educators. Last year, school districts across the state faced a staggering 1,613 teacher vacancies at the start of the school year, marking a 9% increase from the prior year, according to the South Carolina Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement.

Learning and Networking Opportunities

The conference featured insightful talks from experienced educators, including keynote speaker Jaheim President, a teacher from Berea Middle School. Students participated in 18 interactive workshops, where they learned practical teaching skills and discussed ways to integrate technology into their future classrooms.

Rachel Turner, a specialist with the Greenville County Schools Future Teacher Academy, emphasized the importance of giving these students hands-on experience. “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, and they get to try it with their own class,” Turner shared.

College Fair and Resources

Students also had the chance to interact with representatives from 15 colleges during a college fair. This event provided information on various scholarship opportunities and additional resources for aspiring teachers. Other activities included teacher table talks, photo opportunities with members of the GCS Board of Trustees, free books, and wellness activities like yoga sessions.

Future Teacher Academy Insights

This annual conference aligns with the district’s Future Teacher Academy, a program designed for high school students interested in education. Participants can earn 12 college credit hours from Clemson University and complete 150 hours of field experience at local schools. Elizabeth Alverson, a senior at Riverside High School, expressed her appreciation for the program, noting, “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 iTeach Conference is a vital step toward addressing South Carolina’s teacher shortage while nurturing the interests of future educators.