The Masters of Arts in Teaching program had the opportunity to send eight University of Arkansas preservice educators to participate in the 2017 National Council of Teachers of English annual convention.

The conference was held at the America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Hosting thousands of educators, administrators, authors and other experts in the field, NCTE invites attendees to discuss, analyze and enhance the teaching of English across the country.  

Sessions ranged from author talks to research presentations to models of best practice.

In addition to listening to a variety of keynote speakers and participating in session workshops, the eight M.A.T. students, all first-time attendees, also had the opportunity to present at the conference. Alongside other preservice teachers from more than 30 other universities across the country, Jacob Campbell, Bailey Deloney, Sarah Gill, Aaron Handloser, Alix Ann Laws, Genevieve Lyons, Meredith Palmer and Kayla Peterson presented at "The Future is Now: Exploring 21st-Century Teaching Ideas with the Next Generation of English Teachers" session.

This experience was made possible for these students largely through the support of one of their professors.

"I was incredibly humbled to have been provided the opportunity to advance my knowledge of teaching at NCTE," said Laws. "Dr. Goering worked tirelessly to find funding for our English cohort to have the opportunity to go and learn, but also to share our accumulated knowledge by presenting at round table discussions."

Chris Goering, an associate professor of English education at the university, also teaches these students in an English methods class during the fall semester.

"Anyone who has any doubt about the future of education is yet to meet one of the eight future English teachers that attended this national conference," said Goering. "The professionalism, energy, content expertise and teaching ability that they demonstrate is incredible. It is my sincere belief that by attending and presenting at this conference, on the path to earning an M.A.T., will serve as part of a launch pad to propel each onto distinguished careers as English teachers."

Gratitude was expressed from all the attending students following the conference.

"Thank you to all the people who made this experience possible to all of us," said Campbell.

Support for the conference was provided by the Associated Student Government, the Education Renewal Zone and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.