AFRICAN-AMERICAN FUTURE EDUCATORS CONFERENCE STILL CONVINCING A GENERATION OF MINORITY STUDENTS TO TEACH

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — An alarming shortage in the number of professional and academically prepared educators plagues regions across the United States, including Arkansas. With growing numbers of minorities making up the average student body, minority teachers, especially African-American teachers, are increasingly in high demand.

With this very important statistic in mind, the African-American Future Educator’s conference will once again convene in Little Rock Nov. 5 and 6 to celebrate and continue a decade’s worth of progress, bringing African-American students together for the future of education in Arkansas. The program, sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation and established by the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions, was created to gather the best and brightest African-American students from across the state to nurture their interest in attending college and pursuing a career in education. This year, more than 300 high school students from across the state plan to attend, bringing their parents, chaperones and school officials in tow.

"In an effort to increase the size, quality and diversity of our student body, the African-American Future Educators Conference provides a meaningful outlet for prospective students who might not otherwise envision college as an option or teaching as a potential career," said Dean Charles Stegman. "We’re here to remind them of these options. It’s an extremely important recruiting tool for higher education in Arkansas."

"We have a lot to show for our 10 years of hard work," said Karen Eley Sanders, program director. "What began more than a decade ago as just an idea has blossomed into an incredible program that’s had real life, tangible results. Despite our progress, we still have a long way to go."

Bringing together representatives from the University of Arkansas, as well as other universities and colleges across the state, the program works closely with public schools to identify students who have high academic potential, enthusiasm for college and an interest in teaching as a profession. High school students initially selected by their teachers and guidance counselors are encouraged to apply, but because of the sheer bulk of interested students, the program has become more and more selective. In 1999, all conference applicants submitted a resume, wrote an essay, and presented two letters of recommendation, and of the 375 that applied, 300 students were invited to attend.

The conference is comprised of high-energy activities and workshops meant to engage and excite students in college life and careers in education, featuring a series of contests in which students compete for prizes in African-American trivia, have a chance to showcase their portfolios, and compete in an oratorical contest. One of Sanders’ objectives for the conference is to create opportunities to the students to engage in activities related to their African-American heritage. "It’s a celebration of what they’ve already achieved as African-Americans," Sanders said, "as well as a celebration of what they’ll eventually achieve."

When the program began in 1990, 150 students attended the conference. As years progressed and the word of its success spread, the conference attracted more and more students. Attendance peaked in 1999, the conference’s 10^th anniversary. The program has yielded results indicating that many past conference participants have either enrolled in college or have graduated and gone on to become educators themselves.

Presenters at this year’s conference Nola Holt Royster, director of UA Field and Career Services, Fayetteville; Naccaman Williams, educational program officer for the Walton Family Foundation and founder of the AAFEA project; and Roderick McDavis, provost at Virginia Commonwealth University.

"We’re terribly excited that we can celebrate a whole decade’s worth of progress this year," Sanders said. "The University’s hard work and determination, fueled by outstanding support from the Walton Family Foundation - both financial and intellectual - has made this a tremendous project we’re all proud of."

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