Published: May 03, 2008 09:37 pm            

Program opens ISU to Teachers of Tomorrow

TERRE HAUTE — Holli Pickett listened intently as she moved from station to station within Indiana State University’s Cunningham Memorial Library listening as the librarians described the databases available to students.

For the Bedford-North Lawrence High School senior, it is part of the decision process on where she wants to attend college to become a math teacher.

“I wanted to learn more about the department of education,” she said about visiting ISU as part of the Teachers of Tomorrow program on March 25.

The program is a way for high-school students who are interested in becoming teachers to learn more about what it would take to put them in a classroom, and how ISU’s College of Education is prepared to help get them there.

“This event provides prospective new students with firsthand insight into the curriculum, the courses, the faculty and the field of education,” said Rich Toomey, ISU director of admissions.

Almost 90 high-school students and parents attended the day, which included a discussion session on what the future teachers would need to do and classes they would need to take as well as an attendance at an education class.

Then the students and their parents toured the campus, which included a stop at the Center for Instruction, Research and Technology to see firsthand the technology available to support their studies at ISU, and a stop at the library.

“I think it’s really good that high-school students could come in and see what an academic library is like and what we have to offer,” said Alberta Comer, acting dean of library sciences.

Gary Griggs, a senior at Paris High School in Illinois, has been accepted to ISU and plans to attend the university to become a physical education teacher. He decided to attend Teachers of Tomorrow when a friend asked him to come with her.

“I thought I would come to see what it was like being here,” he said.

That is the point of the day, according to Rebecca Libler, ISU College of Education associate dean.

“This is a critical time when high-school students are trying to make up their minds about where they want to go,” she said. “The only difference could be where they think they would be a good fit. We hope they try us on for size and we’ll be a good fit.”

        

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