Students interested in becoming educators got to peek into their future a bit to Monday.
Kacy Glenn is a Senior at Carterville High School. She was one of more than 300 future teachers who attended SIU's first "Education Day," and says she’s excited about going into education.
“Growing up, I have never really felt super comfortable in a classroom, and I've always wanted to be able to provide that to future kids, future students. I want them to feel safe and happy and loved.”
Students from area high schools and community colleges got a chance to explore what the School of Education has to offer at the one-day event, which included meetings with current students, faculty, and staff, along with tours of SIU's Child Development Lab, Morris Library, and more.
School of Education Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Shannon Schroeder says Education Day aims to get students interested teaching, and to help with the teacher shortage.
“I'm hoping by bringing in Southern Illinois school districts that they will want to come to SIU and then get back to their community by becoming a teacher.”
The School of Education plans to make this a yearly event.