First USI Be a Teacher Day draws over 365 area high school students

The Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education will host its first Be a Teacher Day beginning at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 15. The event will highlight the profession of education, allow students to meet current teaching professionals and ask questions about the profession. The day will kick off with a welcome and panel discussion in Carter Hall in University Center West and will transition to other parts of campus before returning to Carter Hall for keynote speakers. 

“We hope USI’s Be a Teacher Day will become an annual event,” says Dr. Jill Raisor, Chair of the USI Teacher Education department. “The idea behind the day is to encourage high school students to learn about the profession of teaching. We want to provide a positive message about teaching that leaves the students inspired to pursue a career as a teacher. For the first year of this event, we expected 50 participants. We were pleasantly surprised by the outpouring of interest from across our region.” 

The event is expected to include over 365 high school freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors from the Tri-state area in attendance. Students will have an opportunity to learn about the USI Teacher Education program and its offerings; interact with a preschool (P) through grade 12 education panel comprised of local professionals, including Dr. David Smith, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Superintendent, Matt Thompson, Superintendent MSD of Mount Vernon, and more; participate in a classroom experience; and tour the Education Center. Dr. Rob Carroll and Dr. Stacey Murray, Assistant Professors of Education, will also give a keynote presentation.  

“Indiana is facing a major teacher shortage, and we want to inspire, encourage and get folks excited about becoming teachers,” says Dr. Tori Colson, Assistant Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. 

According to a report from the Indiana Department of Education, there were more than 2,300 open teaching positions in the state going into the 2022-23 school year. “We are proud of the work USI had done to educate teachers for the state,” says Colson. “Over the last three years, our program has graduated more than 360 undergraduate students and nearly 50 graduate students. But we have room for growth, and we are ready and excited to be part of the solution.” 

Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, USI President, will speak with students to close out the event. With over 30 years of teaching experience spanning pre-k through 20, he has taught classes on the history of American education, culturally relevant and responsive teaching practices and organizational leadership. 

“My love for teaching drives what I do each day, and I’m proud that our campus has some of the best teachers within academe. In my work as an educator, I have focused on the needs of diverse learners within underserved schools and communities, as well as their overall contributions to society,” Rochon says. “Today, the need for qualified teachers is critical, and to think over 365 local students will be on our campus to learn more about this noble profession is beyond exciting.” 

USI’s Teacher Education Department offers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science through the following majors: 

– Early Childhood Education 

– Elementary Education 

– Special Education 

The Teacher Education minor in secondary/P-12 education may accompany any of the following majors to prepare discipline-specific teachers: 

– English Teaching 

– History Teaching 

– Mathematics Teaching 

– Science Teaching 

– Earth/Space Science, Chemistry, Life Science, Physical Science, Physics 

– World Languages and Cultures Teaching (P-12) 

– Physical Education (P-12) 

– Visual Arts Teaching (P-12) 

For more information, visit the USI Teacher Education website or contact Raisor at jmraisor@usi.edu.