The Southern Illinois Future Teacher Coalition (SIFTC) has aided in the creation of Educators Rising or Future Teachers Clubs in the following 20 southern Illinois high schools: Anna Jonesboro, Cairo, Carterville, Century, Cobden, Dongola, Eldorado, Frankfort, Goreville, Hardin County, Harrisburg, Herrin, Johnston City, Joppa, Marion, Massac County, Meridian, Shawnee, Trico, and Vienna with 386 students actively participating in the clubs. Thirteen of these schools are offering dual credit education classes, with five schools awarding the College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) in education and four schools applying to ISBE for CCPE in education. Three SIFTC schools have proudly produced five Golden Apple Scholarship winners.
Vienna High School has recently approved a hiring policy to give currency to any Vienna graduate having earned the CCPE in Education, granting an interview for any open teaching positions for which they qualify.
SIFTC also co-hosts regional events for these high school students. The first event of the school year, ECE Career Expo, was held at John A. Logan Community College on September 28, 2023. This event gave students interested in the field of Early Childhood Education a chance to explore various career opportunities and learn about why 0-5 is so important.
The second event, SIU School of Education Day, was held at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale on October 17, 2023. This conference-style event allowed SIFTC students to select breakout sessions based on their interest in education. At this event, students could interact with numerous SIU departments and School of Education professors.
The next SIFTC regional event, SIFTC @ SCC, will be held on March 21, 2024, at Shawnee Community College, where students can enter over ten team-based competitions showcasing their knowledge in various areas of education.
For more information, please contact brookemmay@viennahs.com, lesliembradley@viennahs.com, or visit viennahs.com/siftc.
