In front of a packed room of teachers, administrators and parents, 20 Center Grove High School seniors donned college gear and signed ceremonial contracts as the crowd applauded.
Such ceremonies are usually reserved for student-athletes as they commit to pursuing their sport at the college level. For the first time, Center Grove school leaders shifted the focus onto future teachers, as 20 students gathered at the school district’s administration building Tuesday to sign an agreement with Center Grove schools.
As part of the agreement, the students have secured a first-round interview if they apply to teach at Center Grove schools once they graduate college and complete their licensing requirements. They also secured a spot to student-teach at Center Grove during their college careers, according to school officials.
The inaugural Future Educator Signing Day took place on the second day of National Teacher Appreciation Week, which wraps up Friday. Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner spoke at the event and reminded attendees about the importance of the profession, which can help not just students, but teachers grow and develop as their careers progress.
“Don’t let the perfect get in the way of the good,” Jenner said. “There are so many first-year teachers, and I was one of them, who think ‘I’m gonna knock this out of the park, it’s gonna be awesome, right? And you think it’ll all be good, and things happen, they always do. No one is perfect, but the main thing about teaching is those who are most successful are those who are constantly learning and constantly improving.”
Krista Nelson, Center Grove’s director of human resources and student services, helped organize the event. As schools deal with a nationwide teacher shortage and with Center Grove losing 50 teachers to non-retirement resignations last year, the need for a new generation of teachers is especially pressing. By incentivizing students with a first-round interview, students will know their time at Center Grove is helping potentially build a career for them, Nelson said.
“Our hope is when they come back here, we can show them the great educational experience that not only they had as a student, but the great employment experience that they can have within Center Grove schools,” she said. “Being a teacher, you have the opportunity to make a difference for our children every single day. Teachers have a purpose, whether they’re caring for a child who’s had a tough day or helping a child achieve their dreams.”
The students who attended the ceremony have committed to study education at Purdue University, Ball State University, Manchester University, Indiana Wesleyan University, IUPUI, Butler University, University of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College, the University of Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois University and Western Governors University.
Caroline Kendall, who plans to study art education at Southern Illinois University, said it was her own teachers that inspired her to pursue education.
“The second I started taking art classes at the high school, I just knew it was the right decision. My art teachers have honestly fueled my passion for art even more than what was already there, so I just want to do the same thing they’re doing,” Kendall said. “It’s nice knowing I’ll have (Center Grove) to fall back on. I grew up in Center Grove, I’ve gone to Center Grove schools all my life.”
The event helps students feel they’re appreciated as they begin a path toward a career in education, said Nolan Foley, who plans to study biology secondary education at Indiana Wesleyan University.
“I think more schools are definitely going to do this,” Foley said. “They do signings for sports, but I think it’s definitely important to recognize the future educators.”
Samantha Hawkins, who will pursue a secondary education social studies degree at the University of Indianapolis, said her high school social studies teacher Ryan Spoonmore inspired her to pursue teaching.
“He always just made it feel like it’s such a warm and welcoming environment. I think I’ve always been a caregiver at heart, so I just decided teaching was the best idea for me,” Hawkins said. “I think it’s important to have somebody that’s not within your immediate group of friends and family that’s always looking out for you. I’ve always had teachers who have done that for me, so I think it’s important for kids who maybe don’t have that at home or in their lives.”
Gary Robinson, a Center Grove school board member who taught for 43 years, attended the ceremony. The ceremony made him feel good about the future of education.
“This is exciting that we could get 20 young people committed to education and be able to sign a contract in front of everybody,” Robinson said. “It’s a great day for the student group, and it’s a great day for education.”
