Georgia Southern hosts largest FGE Day on Statesboro Campus to date

October 8, 2018

FGE Day Knowledge Bowl Champions from Effingham County High School

On Thursday, September 27, over 300 high school students interested in pursuing a teaching career visited Georgia Southern University for Future Georgia Educators (FGE) Day hosted at the Nessmith Lane Conference Center on the Statesboro Campus.

During the event, students were provided various opportunities to learn about the teaching profession. Georgia Southern College of Education faculty and students presented workshop sessions on topics such as assistive technology for special education, school counseling, math education, language and cultural diversity in the classroom, and various teaching technologies that enhance classroom learning.

FGE Day is an initiative that is coordinated by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) in conjunction with colleges

FGE Day Knowledge Bowl, second place team from Statesboro High School

of education in Georgia institutions to provide professional learning, networking and college visitation for students who are considering teaching as a profession.

During the event, PAGE hosted the FGE Knowledge Bowl, where students are challenged with curriculum from their education pathway courses. Effingham County High School teams won first place and third place awards and a Statesboro High School team earned second place in the competition.

Students attended the day-long event from 13 different schools including: Bryan County High School, Burke County High School, Claxton High School, Effingham County High School, Jeff Davis High School, Metter High School, Screven County High School, Southeastern Early College and Career Academy, South Effingham

FGE Day Knowledge Bowl, third place team from from Effingham County High School

High School, Statesboro High School, Tattnall County High School, Ware County High School and Wayne County High School.

A junior at Burke County Life Center, Ebani Sherrod explained that she attended FGE Day to try to learn more about teacher-preparation programs so that she can serve as a role model for others in her future career as an educator.

“I love interacting with kids,” Sherrod said. “It’s up to the teacher to have a positive effect on the students’ lives, and when those students get older they will always remember that teacher.”

Sherrod says that she often finds herself being an encouragement to her friends and family, trying to remind them that “there is more to life than a bad day.”

She says she is looking at Georgia Southern as an option for her college education because “the teacher curriculum is great.”

Fortavious Griffin, Screven County High School senior, knows without a doubt that he wants to work with youth and coach sports.

“Ever since I was young, I like to see little kids learn,” Griffin said. “It touches my heart.”

While Griffin says he can coach any sport, his preference would most likely be basketball. He explained that grade school teachers and coaches make a vast difference in the lives of youth.

“If you have a good influence, you can do a lot,” Griffin said. “The great teachers and coaches I have had… will make me a better teacher in the future.”

Keylee Phillips, junior at Statesboro High School, says she grew up in the hallways of schools as her mother was a teacher and is now employed at the Bulloch County Schools board office. While not certain what age group she would like to work with, Phillips is sure of one thing–”I am interested in special education,” she said.

Given the opportunity in middle school to create an art class for fellow students with special needs, Phillips says she realized traits about herself she never knew she had.

“Patience,” she said. “I don’t always have it, but when I am working with special needs kids I do have this quality as well as a nurturing quality. I feel like I am pulled to these students.”

Phillips also volunteers with special olympics each year and says this has also helped solidify her decision to pursue a degree in special education.

“I have considered Georgia Southern for my education because your special education program is really good,” Phillips added.

For more information about FGE Day, visit https://www.pageinc.org/fgeday/

Check out photos from Georgia Southern’s FGE Day on our Facebook page!