William Carey, Teacher Academy

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - More than 250 local high school students showed up to William Carey University Thursday to learn a thing or two that will help them succeed in their future profession.

Instructor, Deidra Gammill said, "We're having a fall leadership conference for Educators Rising, which is the student organization for Teacher Academy programs across the nation."

"Mississippi has a teacher shortage. In the state of Mississippi, 50 percent of the teachers leave the profession within their first five years. Our challenge as the Teacher Education program, is to provide more undergraduate graduates so we can fill the vacancies in our local school districts," said Dr. Ben Burnett, William Carey Dean of Education.

Kids from 13 different high schools were at William Carey to learn what it takes to become a good teacher.

Teacher Academy participant, Cassey Hall said, "It's amazing and it's a really good opportunity, because we get to meet all of the Educators Rising members throughout our area, and it's a really good way for all of us to come together and get to know each other."

"Just being in Teacher Academy and learning the different types of teaching and all kinds of things like that, I've gotten a lot better and being able to stand in front of people and talk and teach a class,” said Teacher Academy participant, Cristian Read.

The Teacher Academy participants have the drive to become a quality teacher.

"It's the greatest way to make the best difference in the world," said Hall.

"Children are our future and I want to be able to say I helped a kid make a change. I helped brighten his future, brighten his world, make his point of view different," said Teacher Academy participant, Nicole Fuhrman.