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Lincoln Trail College welcomed approximately 100 high school and college students on May 1 for the 2025 Future Educators Summit, a one-day event designed to motivate, inform and prepare the next generation of teachers and education leaders.
The event opened with a powerful keynote presentation by national speaker and educator Heidy LaFleur. In her talk, 鈥淪oaring Balloons and Heavy Shackles: Helping the Most Challenged Kids Soar,鈥 LaFleur shared her personal story and explored how trauma shapes a person鈥檚 experience. She offered practical strategies to help future educators recognize how their Actions, Words and Expressions (AWE) can either weigh students down or help them rise. LaFleur challenged attendees to use their AWE to become part of the solution in every interaction.
After the keynote, students enjoyed lunch provided by Lincoln Trail College and CoCo鈥檚 Caf茅 before participating in two rounds of breakout sessions. Topics included:
鈥淪alary, Stipends, & Financials, Oh My!鈥 with Sarah Hemrich, covering financial considerations in the teaching profession
鈥淣avigating Extracurricular Activities鈥 with Jamie Schultz and Andrew Flynn, focused on the value of engagement beyond the classroom
鈥淚ntroduction to Social Emotional Learning (SEL)鈥 with Janna Surrells, emphasizing emotional intelligence in education
鈥淪cience of Reading鈥 and 鈥淚ntroduction to Specific Learning Disabilities鈥 with Josh Quick, addressing instructional best practices and inclusivity
鈥淭hree to a Degree鈥 with Roger Eddy, Erin Volk and Megan Black, providing an overview of education pathways
鈥淚nterviewing and Making a Good First Impression鈥 with Jeremy Brush, offering practical advice for professional readiness
The day concluded with a wrap-up session that encouraged reflection and connection among attendees and presenters.
The summit, organized in partnership with the Regional Office of Education, offered students an opportunity to explore the field of education through hands-on sessions and expert-led discussions. With a focus on both the challenges and rewards of teaching, the event aimed to provide a realistic look at the profession and the paths available to enter it.