Some of the centerpieces created by FEA members.

In the hands of great teachers, ordinary materials become extraordinary tools for learning, self-discovery, and expression. Baltimore County members of Future Educators of America (FEA) – middle and high school students who aspire to teach – recently demonstrated that they already possess some of this skill. Yellow pencils became the Eiffel Tower and Styrofoam balls became the world in centerpieces the students created for their Third Annual Leadership Conference.

The conference, held March 21, 2005, at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, included the traditional conference elements of speakers and workshops but also offered the 180 student participants and their advisors opportunities to learn in other ways. Conference participants toured the college campus, helped build rollercoasters (while learning important team building skills), created unique “roll calls” to announce their participation, and competed in scrapbook and centerpiece design contests. The conference also included musical performances by Great Expectations, the Patapsco High School show choir.

“Students heard inspirational remarks from State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick, Baltimore County Superintendent Dr. Joe Hairston, and Sharon Grimes, Baltimore County’s Teacher of the Year,” says Dr. Barbara Dezmon, Assistant to the Superintendent for Equity and Assurance. “They also participated in workshops on topics such as dyslexia, senior year internships, navigating college, interviewing skills, BCPS Resource Centers, teaching creativity, interest inventories, strengthening FEA chapters, effective leadership through teamwork, and appreciating diversity. We were so pleased to have workshop leaders from Baltimore County Public Schools and also from many of our community partners including the Baltimore Museum of Industry, Maryland State Department of Education, Prince George’s Community College, and University of Maryland Baltimore County.”

Dr. Dezmon continues, “Recruiting and retaining sufficient numbers of highly qualified teachers is increasingly challenging in Maryland and throughout the nation. Coordinated nationally by Phi Delta Kappa, Future Educators of America is an important vehicle for introducing more youth to careers in education and providing them with support in preparing for those careers.”

Master of Ceremonies Doug Dunkle (a teacher at Franklin High and FEA advisor) with State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick.

“Students benefited from the information they gained at the conference,” says Natasha White, Specialist in the BCPS Office of Equity and Assurance, “and also from the connections they made with other students and with those at various stages of their education careers. The event’s master of ceremonies, Doug Dunkle, is a former FEA member who is now in his first year of teaching at Franklin High School and his first year serving as a FEA advisor. Students also enjoyed hearing from Marina Harrison, Miss Maryland USA and a spokesperson for the Maryland State Department of Education.”

According to Susan Falcone, FEA advisor at Loch Raven High School, “The conference was the best so far. My students came back re-energized.”

Her comments were echoed by other advisors. Marie Heath, FEA advisor at Hereford High, said her students “had a blast and learned a lot.” Natalie Bailey of Pikesville High said, “The classes were very informative and helpful to the students.” And Brenda Pittman of New Town High commented, “The students truly enjoyed this event. They are looking forward to next year’s conference. It was a great experience for all.”

See more photos

Story by Diana Spencer, Communications Officer Photos by Natasha White, Specialist, Office of Equity and Assurance