Onslow County Schools has adopted a new philosophy when it comes to attracting qualified educators to Eastern North Carolina: Grow your own.
On Wednesday, March 13, OCS hosted its 3rd annual Future Teachers of Onslow conference. The event brought together more than 150 high school students from Onslow County, Infant of Prague Catholic School, as well as Sampson and Pamlico counties, who all share a common interest in the teaching profession.
Students had the opportunity to network with one another, hear from career educators, and meet with representatives from education programs at colleges such as Coastal Carolina Community College, East Carolina University, and NC State.
A highlight of the day was a keynote speech from Kimberly Jones, the 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina State Teacher of the Year.
Jones shared with the students that while teaching may be challenging, there is no work as rewarding and valuable to the success of our society.
“As teachers, we have the duty, we have the privilege, and we have the gift of presenting our students with meaningful lessons and meaningful questions that drive them from thinking about the world to acting upon the world,” she said to the students. “We can give our kids the safety of our classroom to begin asking big questions and seeking big answers.
“You all, as you sit in these seats, are the authors of our collective future.”
Jacksonville High School student Hase Martinez, who is interested in pursuing music education, said the FTO conference was an inspiring and enlightening experience, saying, “Coming here today, especially to speak with the Teacher of the Year and hearing her story, really did inspire me more than I thought it would.”
In Onslow County, the development of future educators goes far beyond just the FTO conference.
The Future Teachers of Onslow chapters in our high schools promote the field of education and grow future Onslow educators. FTO advisors promote the program within their high schools and get students involved and excited about teaching and learning.
At the school level, students are engaged in volunteer work, including working with elementary students, peer tutoring, and preparing teacher appreciation activities.
Teaching is a rewarding profession, and it is the goal of FTO to motivate students to seek a career in education and return to educate the next generation of Onslow County students.
