DECATUR, Ill. – High school students from across Central Illinois gathered on 鶹Լ University’s campus on Monday, Oct. 20, for the 2025 Tomorrow’s Teachers Conference, a day devoted to exploring the teaching profession through hands-on sessions, campus engagement, and conversations about what it means to be an educator.
Hosted by 鶹Լ’s School of Education, the annual event drew nearly 180 participants interested in becoming teachers. The conference featured interactive workshops in literacy, STEM, physical education, and classroom creativity, culminating in two sessions that captured the heart of the day: a keynote address from longtime educator Jenny Moore and a candid forum with current 鶹Լ teacher candidates.
In her keynote, Jenny Moore – a veteran Mount Zion teacher and advocate for the profession – encouraged students to see education not only as a career but also as a calling.
“Value education – everything about education is valuable,” Moore said to the crowd of aspiring teachers. “Every part of the school day matters, from the first bell to the after-school moments that change lives. If you see that value, you’ll never lose sight of your purpose.”
Moore also emphasized the importance of early classroom experience, noting that college students who have completed 60 credit hours are eligible for an Illinois substitute license.
“That’s your free pass to go explore,” she said. “Go substitute, volunteer, and step into different classrooms — you’ll discover your strengths and what kind of teacher you want to be.”
Earlier in the day, a student-led forum brought together current 鶹Լ Education majors for an open Q&A session. The panelists spoke about their own experiences in field placements, classroom management, and navigating the challenges of modern education.
“Every experience in a classroom is a good experience,” one student reflected. “Even when things don’t go perfectly, you’re learning how to adapt — and that’s what makes a great teacher.”
Another panelist discussed technology’s evolving role in education: “AI isn’t going away,” they said. “The challenge is finding ways to make it a positive resource that helps students learn.”
The Tomorrow’s Teachers Conference is designed to give high school students a hands-on introduction to 鶹Լ’s Performance Learning approach, which emphasizes real-world experience, reflection, and community engagement. Participants explored everything from gamified lessons and outdoor STEM labs to music and movement in education.
As the event concluded, participants left inspired and with a clearer vision of what their own teaching journeys might look like.
