How the Series was Founded

The Future Teacher Support Series is the first series of its kind for College of Education (COE) undergraduate students. The idea for this support series was the result of the overwhelming success of a single seminar entitled “Beginning Teacher Panel” sponsored during Fall 2003 by the Georgia Systemic Teacher Education Program (GSTEP) grant. The seminar featured a panel of beginning teachers from six local school districts discussing the rewards and challenges of the first years of teaching. The diverse group of participants, ranging from undecided first-year students to student teachers, gave very positive reviews and requested that similar events be held in the future to support them in preparation for their careers. Thus, the idea for a seminar series was born.

The Future Teacher Support Series received its first year of funding in Fall 2004 by the President’s Venture Fund through the generous gifts of the University of Georgia Partners. Seminars during the inaugural series have included documentary screenings, book discussions, discussion panels of beginning and experienced teachers, and seminars on topics such as teaching non-native English speakers and working with special education students in a regular classroom.

It is anticipated that the Future Teacher Support Series will be of great value to College of Education students because of the interest they have expressed for more opportunities to hear from experienced educators and to reflect on their teaching practice. It is our hope that these sessions will empower them as teachers and help in some way to retain them as successful professionals in their field.