Over 270 students attend ISU’s Future Educators Symposium

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — As current high school juniors and seniors are trying to determine their career path; Indiana State University is trying to make that choice a little easier.

Local students who are currently in the education professions pathway got the chance to see firsthand what it takes to become a successful teacher. Assistant Dean for the College of Education at ISU Malea Crosby said it is important to show students the good sides of teaching.

“We all know that being a teacher is a hard job, so having presenters and other people in the field that are still excited about being a teacher is really helpful for those students,” said Crosby

Crosby said building these connections with students early helps motivate them to further their education.

“We want to start building relationships with these students to make them see that college is an option, but also that Indiana State University is an option for them,” said Crosby.

The students who are in this pathway also get the benefit of getting college credits for free while in high school. Adjunct Instructor for ISU Dr. Karen Goeller said this allows them to start taking higher-level college courses earlier.

“These 15 college credits will enable students to build a foundation so that they will be able to move into a college already having an established success rate of several credit hours so that they can go on and continue their pathway with higher level courses,” said Goeller.

Crosby said that they are grateful that they get to be a part of these students’ educational journeys.

“It’s exciting for these students to choose ISU, to choose the profession of being an educator, and we want to be a part of that,” said Crosby.

Crosby added that approximately 3,000 classrooms in Indiana began the school year without a teacher and they are fully committed to lowering that number.

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