OC inspired high school students to become teachers at first Future Teacher’s Day 

First-time event highlighted strengths of OC’s School of Teacher Education.

March 25, 2020 - Oklahoma Christian University’s School of Teacher Education lives by its mission to create teachers who are Christ-followers who serve their students and constituents academically and pedagogically. What better way to show OC’s pride in that mission than to offer a day solely dedicated to teaching future educators about teacher education?

OC hosted its first-ever Future Teacher’s Day a few weeks ago. OC invited Bret Town, the superintendent of the Edmond Public Schools, to help welcome prospective students from local high schools including Northwest Classen and Frederick Douglass to campus to simulate what life as a future eagle in education is like.

Chair of the School of Teacher Education Darin Martin explained OC’s inspiration for hosting the event.

“We would like to bring in a more diverse teacher-candidate base,” Martin said. “This is a good education program if you want to be a teacher, and we were trying to emphasize it’s not out of reach financially. We’re here on a godly campus, and you’ll be loved and appreciated.”

Following breakfast in the Garvey Room, prospective students spent the day with current education students and past alumni. Each student participated in breakout sessions, sat in on classes and attended the departmental chapel. 

Celestia Bennet, the administrative assistant for the School of Teacher Education, discussed one particular reaction from some of the visiting students.

“As I was walking down the hill, I was talking to two of the students,” Bennet said. “Both of them as they were talking said, ‘I can’t think of a negative of coming here. I would come here in a heartbeat.’ They loved everything about the campus.”

Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Tina Winn complimented the School of Teacher Education, in full support and excited with the day’s accomplishments. 

“The multiple positive experiences the prospective students had with our teacher education faculty and our own education majors throughout the day was a testimony to the high-quality, caring community we have that sets students up for success,” Winn said.

OC is proud of its education faculty, staff and students, and Future Teacher’s Day showcased just how much pride a future teacher can take in calling OC home.