Thomas College’s Lunder School of Education and the Center for Innovation in Education presents the Educators Rising Pre-Service Teacher Conference on April 1 at Thomas College in Waterville. This conference is open to pre-service teachers from any Maine college and high school seniors interested in becoming teachers.
This conference is the first of its kind in Maine and will focus on topics that are important for pre-service teachers including getting a job, the first year of teaching, and more. This conference is made by pre-service teachers, including conference co-chairs and Thomas College students Abby Bolvin and Kathryn Nightingale, for pre-service teachers and is part of a larger, national network of the organization, Educators Rising.
During the conference, the award for the Preservice Teacher of the Year will be announced, which carries an honorarium of $1000. Seniors in teacher prep programs across the state of Maine were eligible for the award and the three finalists will attend the conference on April 1.
When: April 1, 2022, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Thomas College, 180 West River Road, Waterville
Schedule of events:
- 8:30 a.m. – Registration & Breakfast
- 9-10 a.m. – Keynote with Dr. Monte Shelby talks (and sings) building student relationships.
- 10-10:50 a.m. – Session 1:
- County Teacher of the Year Patti Forster talks classroom management at the high school level
- Principal Zach Longyear talks getting the job
- Mike Muir talks helping students get self-motivated
- Amy Tuker and Sue Caron talk integrated curriculum and student advisory groups
- 11-11:50 a.m. – Session 2:
- Sue Caron and Amy Tucker talk controversial topics and handling hard conversations
- Principal Monte Selby talks the beauty and the beast of very small schools
- County Teacher of the Year Lindsay Mahoney, Principal Zach Longyear, and Erin LaPlante talk finding success in the first year
- Dr. Theresa Overall and UMF preservice teachers talk not-your-traditional assessments using tech for grades 6-12
- 12- Lunch and Awards (announcement of $1,000 Preservice Teacher of the Year award)
- 1-1:50 p.m. – Session 3:
- Maine Teacher of the Year Heather Whitaker talks middle school classroom management
- CTOY Lindsey Mahoney talks math anxiety and innovative math practices at the MS level
- County Teacher of the Year Jessica Harvey talks elementary school classroom management
- 1:50-2: Closing Remarks
Currently, more than 90 Maine college and high school students are registered to attend.
Presenters include current Maine principals and Maine Teachers of the Year. Thomas College is happy to partner with the Maine Association for Middle Level Education and the Maine Department of Education.
About Thomas College: Thomas College has been preparing students for success in their personal and professional lives for over 125 years. Thomas College nurtures the unique potential within each student. Our Guaranteed Job Program, 3-year accelerated offerings in all undergraduate degrees, individualized advising, career counseling, and our Innovation Centers in Business and Education meet a student’s determination to succeed with the direction, confidence, and tools to realize the highest version of themselves. Our graduate degree offerings fit your lifestyle ranging from in-person and on-campus to 100% online degree programs. From the classroom to community activities, or on the athletics field with our 19 varsity sports, Thomas College provides a personalized experience that prepares you for the workplace of tomorrow. U.S. News & World Report ranks us #1 among colleges in Maine and #10 in the Northeast for social mobility of our graduates. For more information, visit thomasedu.wpenginepowered.com or contact MacKenzie Riley Young at [email protected] or 207-859-1313. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.