Chas: School system hosts fifth annual FEA confere

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This just in from Charles County Public Schools...

School system hosts fifth annual FEA conference for students

Charles County Public Schools held its fifth annual Future Educators Association (FEA) local conference on Friday, Dec. 14, at the College of Southern Maryland's La Plata campus. More than 200 students participated in the event, which consisted of guest motivational speakers and informative workshops hosted by school system teachers and administrators. As part of the conference, students participate in two 30-minute workshops designed to educate them on how to write an outstanding college application essay, how to dress appropriately for a job interview, the role of the teacher in the classroom, an overview of the Teacher Academy of Maryland program at North Point High School and how to learn about math through fun and exciting games and lessons. The conference is also designed to offer FEA members with opportunities to hear from school leaders about their educational experiences. Jeff Yalden, a youth motivational speaker, served as the keynote speaker, and shared personal experiences and life lessons with attendees. He also hosted a workshop to talk with students about how life experiences, both positive and negative, can impact their future and how positive choices are beneficial. The conference also features several challenging competitions for students, ranging from a lesson planning and delivery event to a job application competition. North Point High School senior Kimberly McCloskey received an award in the lesson planning and delivery competition, which requires students to create and present a lesson to students. Selaina Hopkins, also a senior at North Point, received an award in the job application event, in which students are judged on a resume, cover letter and participate in an interview to develop their writing and personal skills. As winners in the lesson planning and job application competitions, McCloskey and Hopkins are eligible to compete at the national level and will travel to Orlando in April to participate in the National Future Educators Association conference. Additionally, General Smallwood Middle School's FEA chapter received an award in the centerpiece competition, in which student members were tasked with creating an arrangement that best portrayed ideals embodied in FEA. The FEA chapter from Westlake High School received the high school award for their centerpiece. Each Charles County public middle and high school has an FEA chapter for students in grades 6 – 12 who are interested in becoming educators. Student members are asked to pledge to serve as role models for their participation in FEA by promoting a positive attitude toward education to enhance the quality of educational programs. More than 200 Charles County Public Schools students are active in FEA chapters. North Point High School has the largest participation in FEA with 40 members. La Plata High School has the second largest FEA chapter, with 17 members, followed by Theodore G. Davis Middle School, with 16 members. The FEA aims to motivate middle and high school students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in education while studying teaching, working to improve the image of teaching, boosting faculty morale and linking students, parents and the community together. Through hands-on career exploration opportunities, FEA members assume leadership roles and develop professional skill sets that will serve them throughout their careers. Visit http://www.futureeducators.org/ for more information.Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

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