Kansas high school students looking toward the future have the opportunity to see if they want to be among the future generation of teachers, coaches, counselors, education researchers, speech therapists – every profession that begins with a degree in education.
Applications are being accepted for the 27th annual Kansas Future Teacher Academy; the application is available at www.emporia.edu/teach/kfta/. Current high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. Applications need to be submitted by April 8, 2016.
"KFTA was one of the best experiences," said Hayley Yocum, a graduate of St. Mary's High School who attended the academy in 2013. "It is a great experience and I'm so thankful for all the friends I met and information I received."
Yocum explained she bonded with other academy participants "over our love for our future career."
In encouraging other Kansas high school students to attend, Yocum added "KFTA is so worth your time, even if you're just thinking about teaching as a career!"
The KFTA will be held June 5-9, 2016 at Emporia State University. During this time, academy participants will work with education faculty from area school districts, ESU education faculty, and meet with new teachers, academy alumni, the 2016 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductees, the 2016 Kansas Teachers of the Year, and the 2016 Kansas Master Teachers.
“No other future teacher program in the country will have the opportunity to work with this many notable teachers," said Bob Aman, Director of the KFTA. "Our goal is two-fold for the students: give them an overview of the process of becoming a teacher and at the same time provide them tools to look inside themselves to see if they have what it takes to become a teacher."
Students are allowed into the academy based upon their academic standing, involvement in school and community activities, and interest in exploring a career in teaching.
Funding for the academy is provided by the Kansas legislature and is coordinated by the Jones Institute for Educational Excellence at ESU. For more information about the academy, visit www.emporia.edu/teach/kfta/ or contact Roger Caswell at 620-341-5372.