School of Education Recruits Through Hot Dog Picnic

Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Linna Jones

Education Picnic - School of Education faculty meets with students from Drew Central High School and Monticello High School during a hot dog picnic held March 17 on the lawn of Willard Hall. The school held the event to recruit students and increase awareness of the need for teachers.

      MONTICELLO - The School of Education hosted a hot dog picnic to offer students a chance to learn about being a teacher March 17.

   The picnic, held on front lawn of Willard Hall, offered both college and high school students the opportunity to ask questions about being a teacher.

   Students from Drew Central High School and Monticello High School’s future teachers group attended the event. Melissia Vincent, who teaches Orientation to Teaching, Computerized Accounting and Banking, sponsored 20 students from the Drew Central. Twenty students also visited from Monticello High School.

   17-year old LaTarnesha Jacobs, a student at Monticello High School, said attending the event gave her a good look at the School of Education.

   She said she loved children and liked helping people. Jacobs said she wanted to teach second or third grade and likes math. She said she was good at math. When she see numbers she likes to put them together and showing people to do it.

   18-year old Kirk Banks, also from MHS, said he wanted to teach as well.

   “Really if I think if I can bring more to the table in being a teacher, students can learn to be more active at learning and want to learn,” Banks said.

   Banks said he would like to teach math. He likes to help students who have difficulty understanding the subject or go at a slower pace.

   Sue Martin, assistant professor and teacher education coordinator, said the school held the picnic as a way to increase recruitment and retention for the school of education for both music and general education teachers.

    Martin said there was a need for teachers in several academic areas especially in the areas of math, science, art, English and foreign languages.

   “There is a need for teachers, especially in Southeast Arkansas and along the Delta,” she said.

   Martin described this year’s event as the best turnout they have had.  The School of Education previously held a picnic two years ago.

   The UAM Jazz Band, conducted by Gary Meggs, performed during the event.

   Simmons First National Bank donated the food for the event while Bryan Martin, Mayor of Warren and Martin's husband, helped with cooking.

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