FEA Conference

FEA Conference Engages Students with Technology and Helps Them Avoid a Disastrous First Year

Nearly 200 Future Educators of Georgia members descended upon Middle Georgia State College in November to learn how to avoid a disastrous first year of teaching, to be inspired by the technological prowess of Georgia’s Teacher of the Year and to immerse themselves in a host of workshops. The FEA Fall Conference was themed “Dive into Teaching!”

Dan Brown, the new national FEA director, relayed his experiences as a first-year teacher in the Bronx. “It was the most exciting year of my life because I discovered my passion, but it was also a total disaster because I was unprepared,” he said. Brown then went to graduate school and immersed himself in student teaching. “I then had sort of a second first year, which was monumentally better.”

Brown also announced that FEA national is building an online universe to supplement the chapter experience. Through the new website, FEA students will be able to “document accomplishments, network and leverage technology for all sorts of professional learning and growing,” Brown told PAGE.

In delivering the keynote address, Jemelleh Coes, the 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year, used technology and the audience members’ cellphones to demonstrate a bring-your-own-device strategy of engaging students in lessons.

Conference workshops, presented by the MGSC School of Education, addressed literacy, cyberbullying, classroom management, learning styles and more.

Attendees were also treated to “FEA Moments,” whereby students shared the moment in which he or she chose teaching for a career. Donlane Parrish from Metter High School in east central Georgia said that her FEA club’s visit to a one-room schoolhouse built in the 1800s in Statesboro solidified her decision. Chandler Sumner from Early County High School in southwest Georgia said that attending FEAST with his parents, who are both FEAST advisors, as a high school freshman convinced him to pursue teaching.

Lastly, the future educators met with representatives from more than 25 Georgia colleges to discuss teacher preparation programs.

FEA state officers presiding over the morning session included Tyrea Hall, Howard High School in Bibb County, Jordon Baker, Camden County High School, and Caroline Pope, Early County High School.

The PAGE Foundation thanks Nancy Greene and her MGSC colleagues. Their time and talent made the FEA Fall Conference one of the best ever.

To see a video report of this event, visit the FEA Today channel on PAGE TV at www.pageinc.org, or scan the QR code. n

(l-r) Dan Brown, Jordon Baker, Mary Ruth Ray and Caroline Pope

Tyrea Hall (left) and Donlane Parrish address conference participants. Teacher of the Year Jemelleh Coes used audience cellphones to demonstrate a bring-yourown-device strategy of engaging students.

FEA students work in breakout sessions.

T-shirt competition design winners from Bibb County’s Howard High School

2013 FeA Competition winners

Brochure Competition Winner: Fannin County High School Runner-up: Lee County High School T-shirt Design Competition Winner: Howard High School Runner-up: Fannin County High School Banner Competition Winner: Pike County High School Runner-up: Howard High School