High school students interested in becoming educators will have an opportunity to explore the teaching profession through hands-on learning, interactive sessions, and conversations with education professionals during Millikin University’s annual Tomorrow’s Teachers Conference on Monday, Oct. 19.
Hosted by Millikin’s School of Education, the conference is designed to give prospective educators an authentic look at what it means to be a teacher while introducing students to the innovative approaches and experiences that shape today’s classrooms.
Throughout the day, students will participate in engaging sessions focused on topics relevant to the future of education, such as innovative instructional approaches, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics), new technologies, Special Education, English as a Second Language, and multicultural education. The conference also provides students with opportunities to interact with Millikin faculty, current Education majors, and other professionals in the field.
The experience reflects Millikin’s distinctive Performance Learning approach, which emphasizes learning through meaningful, real-world experiences. Rather than simply hearing about what it means to become a teacher, conference participants will have opportunities to experience the kind of active, collaborative learning that is central to a Millikin education.
“Each year, our Tomorrow’s Teachers Conference demonstrates the commitment that our Millikin University faculty and staff have to designing and delivering engaging, student-centered, and inclusive Performance Learning environments and opportunities,” said Dr. Chris Cunnings, Associate Professor and Director of the School of Education. “Our institution is committed to growing the teaching profession throughout Illinois, and we practice what we preach by planning practical, exciting, innovative, and research-based learning opportunities for this event.”
The conference also gives prospective students a chance to see firsthand how Millikin prepares future educators through classroom experiences, faculty mentorship, and opportunities to put theory into practice.
For current Millikin Education students, the conference offers an opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives with the next generation of teachers. Conversations with current students can help high school participants better understand the path to becoming an educator, from choosing the Education major to gaining experience in real classrooms, while also gaining insight into what it’s like to be part of the Millikin community.
“Conference attendees should leave campus excited about the education profession as a possible career choice but, perhaps just as importantly, they should leave campus in awe of our talented, friendly, and welcoming faculty and campus community that they interact with throughout the day,” said Cunnings.
The conference builds on Millikin’s longstanding commitment to preparing educators who are ready to make a difference in their classrooms and communities. By bringing future teachers to campus, the School of Education hopes to inspire students to see education not only as a career, but as an opportunity to have a lasting impact on the lives of others.
