On November 5th, a crowd of more than 75 high school students from Gates, Hertford and Northampton County schools gathered in Tyler Auditorium on the Chowan University campus to get a taste of their possible futures. The School of Education’s annual prospective event, Day for Future Teachers, highlights the education program at Chowan to high school students considering the field as their future career.

“I came to see if Chowan is a prospective college for me,” stated Cody Gallop, a junior visiting from Gates County High School. “I hope to educate the future, and Dr. Tinkham runs a very good program.”

Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Brenda Tinkham welcomed the large crowd of prospective education students, and Chowan President Chris White offered his greetings to high school students visiting campus.

“Teaching is a particularly good profession to be in this day and age,” told Dr. Tinkham, speaking on the success of education majors at Chowan. “Once a week, I get a phone call from human resources or administrators looking for teachers about to graduate.”

Among discussions with several current education majors about to enter the working world and the education faculty that prepared them, the day was highlighted by a keynote address from Rhonda Holmes, the NC North Central Region Teacher of the Year.

“Even at an early age, I always had a soft spot in my heart for learning,” remarked Rhonda Holmes as part of her ever-evolving teaching philosophy. “My parents modeled the patience I now use to meet the needs of my students.”

Sharing her story as an educator at Conway Middle School, Holmes created a vision to convey the heart it takes to work with young adults.

“Envision a mound of fresh clay on a potter’s wheel,” she expressed, referencing her art background. “Its form has the potential to meet every expectation, given the time and attention it needs.”

Holmes also encouraged the high school students to choose an education program that will stay with them even after they graduate, adding “It is detrimental to your success.”