PAGE and Berry

By Mary Ruth Ray, PAGE College Services Representative

In the midst of unprecedented budget of reductions-in-force (RIFs), changes cuts and teacher furloughs, it may to Georgia’s teacher evaluation system, seem counterintuitive to discuss controversy around Common Core and teacher shortages, yet that is the reality uncertainty as to whether teachers’ comlooming in Georgia classrooms. While pensation will be tied to students’ test the state’s population continues to climb, scores in the years to come. enrollment in our teacher preparation Despite the bad press the profession programs is declining. Young people is receiving in some circles, quality eduwho may have once considered teach- cators know that there is nevertheless ing to be a stable, rewarding profession much personal fulfillment in teaching, are now questioning that view in light and there are thousands of Georgia classrooms that need competent, caring educaIn a world where social media, tors. That’s why PAGE and Berry College teamed the Internet and gadgets up in February to host the galore offer unprecedented first-ever “PAGE Future Teachers Day.” More than opportunities for cutting-edge 80 students enrolled in teaching methods, technology does not replace human education pathway classes at high schools in northwest Georgia spent a day emotions and needed social interactions. on the beautiful college campus in Rome exploring a future in education. – Dr. Allene Magill Dr. Jackie McDowell, PAGE Executive Director dean of Berry’s School of Education, was looking for a way to leverage the college’s successful teacher preparation program to encourage young people to consider the profession. “Our teacher education program at Berry College is so distinctive because our graduates are prepared to pursue careers as teacher leaders, not just look for a teaching job,” McDowell told participants. “Berry supports our graduates throughout their teaching careers. We wanted to share our program more widely in hopes that more local high school students would seriously consider teaching and stay in the profession. Partnering with PAGE was a wonderful first step as we all work together to address future teacher shortages and prepare the next generation of teacher leaders.”

“We applaud Dean McDowell and the Berry College School of Education for taking a positive step to address the teacher shortage while at the same time providing a valuable service to the young people in Northwest Georgia who are interested in education,” says Jimmy Jordan, who serves as team leader of the PAGE College Services representatives.

“We are also grateful for her confidence in PAGE to be Berry’s partner on this important issue.”

QUALITY TEACHERS KNOW THEIR STUDENTS WELL

PAGE Executive Director Dr. Allene Magill places a priority not only on recruiting enough teachers for Georgia’s students, but on recruiting and developing quality teachers. In her keynote address, Magill stressed the importance of setting the goal not simply to be a teacher but to be a great teacher. She shared some of the characteristics of great teachers, such as placing emphasis on knowing their students by having quality conversations with them. In a world where social media, the Internet and gadgets galore offer unprecedented opportunities for cutting-edge teaching methods, “Technology does not replace human emotions and needed social interactions,” she cautioned.

Following their time with Magill, students divided into three tracts to explore teaching in early elementary, upper elementary and middle and high school. Faculty from the Berry College School of Education provided workshop sessions on topics, such as supporting the learning of students with disabilities, building excitement among students around the STEM areas and integrating the student’s

head, heart and hands into his learning.

The Berry admissions staff provided insight into the college admissions process, and representatives from 19 other Georgia colleges were on site to visit with future teachers and share information about their schools. Students wrapped up the day by testing their knowledge of Georgia’s Code of Ethics for Educators in a friendly but competitive quiz bowl.

“This is a part of PAGE and the PAGE Foundation’s mission to recruit, develop and retain quality educators for Georgia classrooms,” says Jordan. Following the success of this event, PAGE plans to host a series of Future Teacher Days on college campuses throughout the state next year. Watch the PAGE website for details. n Education pathway students at four northwest Georgia high schools gathered at Berry College in February to explore teaching and visit with representatives from 20 Georgia colleges. PAGE Executive Director Dr. Allene Magill (top right) kicked off the event by discussing the value of relationships between students and teachers.