NCAE Leader Encourages Future Educators at VGCC Symposium

Vance-Granville Community College, in collaboration with local high schools and Future Teachers of America chapters, hosted a Future Educators Symposium in April in the Civic Center on the college’s main campus. The event brought together people interested in pursuing educational careers and easing the statewide teacher shortage.Eddie Davis, III, an English teacher at Hillside High School in Durham County, and president of the North Carolina Association of Educators, was the guest speaker. Davis said that being in Vance County made him feel “at home” because he is originally from nearby and formerly taught in the Weldon City Schools.Davis called teaching “perhaps the most noble profession of all.” He said that he was aware that the fundamental preparation to become an educator can be done at a community college, and he applauded Jacquelin Heath, the head of the Early Childhood Associate/Teacher Associate program at Vance-Granville, for her work organizing the symposium and promoting various education careers.Davis spoke on the joys of teaching, and particularly encouraged students to work in public schools, where they would interact with a wide variety of students. Although the profession is challenging, Davis said, “you must remember that the teacher enjoys the support of a surrounding community, including teacher’s aides, custodians, cafeteria staff and bus drivers.” He advised future teachers not only to teach their subject matter well, but also to teach “constructive habits” and to instill a love of reading and knowledge. “Teach children to defy the limits of society’s expectations,” Davis said. “Teach them that the world demands excellence without excuses.”Following the address by Davis, participants attended three break-out sessions, conducted by Dr. John Beck, VGCC’s Dean of Arts and Sciences, explaining requirements to become a teacher or teacher assistant; Dr. Abram Liles of Granville County Schools addressing “What Employers are Looking for in Teachers and Teacher Assistants”; and Glenda Cook from Vance County Schools offering insight into “Brain Theory and How Children Learn.”Warren County High School, Northern Vance High School, Southern Vance High School and J.F. Webb High School were all represented on the committee that planned the symposium, in addition to VGCC.For more information on the Early Childhood Associate/Teacher Associate program at Vance-Granville, contact Jacquelin Heath at (252) 492-2061, ext. 3298.Above: From left, Jacquelin Heath, Vance-Granville Community College’s Early Childhood Associate/Teacher Associate program head, and Eddie Davis, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators. (VGCC Photo)