Oklahoma Baptist University’s (OBU) “Discover Teaching” event isn’t just about a profession, it’s about people – students.
The Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education’s gathering for ninth through 12th-grade students is scheduled for Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Geiger Center on the OBU campus. Students must register for the free event, and limited spots are available.
A welcome and introductions will be followed by keynote speaker Alton Carter. Carter is a former foster child and police officer with experience in youth ministry.
Carter is the first person in his family to graduate from high school and college.
His debut book, THE BOY WHO CARRIED BRICKS, was published by The RoadRunner Press in April 2015. On April 9, 2016, the nonfiction title won the 2016 Oklahoma Book Award. The book truly recounts Carter’s hardscrabble life growing up on the plains and in the small towns of Oklahoma.
In 2015, Carter founded the Alton Carter Inspire Foundation with the goal of assisting young people who have lived in foster care, group homes, or DHS juvenile facilities in securing a college degree. A percentage of the book sales from THE BOY WHO CARRIED BRICKS goes to this cause.
The Discover Teaching event will also include three hands-on breakout sessions.
Individual sessions will focus on teaching children of all ages in various areas such as reading, social studies, STEM, science, math, music, art, English, Spanish, theater and special education. Special sessions with Carter on trauma-informed instruction and finding your niche will also be offered to in-service and preservice teachers.
“The Discover Teaching event at OBU is being held to ignite a passion for teaching and help students better understand the joys of a career in education,” said Dr. Elizabeth Justice, chair of the OBU School of Education.
Students will also get the opportunity to learn about financial support for future educators in Oklahoma through the “Inspired to Teach Scholarships” and the TEACH grant.
Justice encouraged students to consider the influence teachers have had and are having on them.
“Think about your favorite teacher, the one who helped you discover your passion for science, your love of reading or who helped you realize music as your true calling,” Justice said. “Teachers, just like your favorite teacher, shape the leaders of the future, building positive and inspired future generations.”
She also reminded those who are thinking about becoming a teacher that this event is for them as well.
“If you are someone who enjoys working with kids and is considering how you could inspire the next generation, Discover Teaching is for you,” she said.
