The Future Educator Academy at Fitchburg State University - April 11, 2022

The Future Educator Academy at Fitchburg State University welcomed more than 20  local high school students to campus today for a day of programming. After a presentation by Lourdes Ramirez of our School of Education, Freshmen and Seniors worked with Dr. Erin Rehig of our School of Health and Natural Sciences, while Sophomores and Juniors learned about financial literacy from Dr. Michael Greenwood of our School of Business.

The academy is designed to address ongoing demographic shifts by recruiting and training future educators from traditionally underrepresented populations. According to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, about 40% of the state’s public school students are of color, but only 10% of their teachers come from minority groups, noted Lourdes Ramirez, coordinator of field placements, partnerships and recruitment for Fitchburg State’s School of Education. The Future Educator Academy is also part of the Career Planning and My Future badge Admissions shared about programs we offer at Fitchburg State University and how to apply for college.  Also, the future educators worked with Susan Beddes from Career Services. Susan shared, "We explored a variety of areas within the education field and the positions available in them. We also identified 3 values that are important to us that may have an impact on our career decisions."