Grant Career Center National FEA winners are Logan Shinkle, Alyssa Hallahan, Anna Weigand, Lindsey Smith and Alyssa Courts.
Grant Career Center Teacher Academy students recently attended the 25th Annual Future Educators Association (FEA) National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Approximately 800 future educators from high schools and colleges nationwide attended the conference. Participants from Grant Career Center included Alyssa Courts, Alyssa Hallahan, Logan Shinkle, Lindsey Smith and Anna Weigand, FEA Advisor Julie Crozier, and Public Relations Director Pam McKinney.

The students started their national conference experience with preliminary rounds of competitions in the FEA Moment, Ethical Dilemma, Public Service Announcement and Impromptu Speech competitions. The Opening General Session was hosted by the FEA National officers and included a state of education report from Dan Brown, the FEA Executive Director.

Friday brought second rounds of competitions, College Day exhibits, educational sessions and outstanding speakers who inspired the students to continue their journey into the education profession. Teacher, writer and comedian Roxanna Eldon shared many insights into the profession and encouraged the students to become “That Teacher” they want to become.

Saturday was filled with many sessions that taught the students classroom techniques, technology issues, learning styles and how to prepare for college. Saturday’s luncheon featured 2013 National Teacher of the Year Jeff Charbonneau. He shared with the future educators many ways to inspire students and touch the future through their classroom.

The highlight of the day was the closing session and award ceremony. The students waited with great expectations and were delighted to hear that they placed in the Top Ten in both Ethical Dilemma and the Public Service Announcement competitions. The Ethical Dilemma project was completed by the students in the New Richmond class and presented at nationals by Alyssa Hallahan and Logan Shinkle. The class at Grant Career Center created the Public Service Announcement and it was presented by Alyssa Courts and Lindsey Smith.

Following the sessions, The Teacher Academy students also visited Minneapolis’ greatest attraction, The Mall of America. The students shopped for great souvenirs and experienced the thrill of the amusement park at the biggest mall they had ever seen!

During the conference, it was announced that next year’s FEA National Conference will be held in Washington D. C. This is just one of the many professional development opportunities that The Teacher Academy students experience in this college preparatory program. If your sophomore or junior son or daughter is interested in a career as a professional educator, investigate career options and college partnerships with the Teacher Academy on our website at www.grantcareer.com or call the Career Center for more information at (513) 734-6222.