"Think About Teaching" Conference Held

In an effort to address the shortage of minority teachers in the schools surrounding metro Rochester, the third annual "Think About Teaching" conference was held on March 18 at Roberts Wesleyan College. Melissa Head, admissions counselor, represented the Warner School at the event.

This year's keynote speaker was William Parker, a former teacher, coach, college professor, and school and college administrator, recently retired as the vice chancellor of the University of Kentucky. Parker addressed issues including the lack of minority teachers in largely minority classrooms, the view by some minority students that learning is "acting white," and the perception that there are better career opportunities than teaching.

The conference aims to reverse these trends and attitudes by providing information to minority students and portraying positive role models, especially to those interested in teaching as a career choice. About 400 high school students attended this year's conference.

"Dr. Parker's keynote speech was inspiring and energizing," said Head. "It was great to see so many students interested in a career in education. The student turnout and interaction was wonderful."