Future teachers are learning lessons in Scranton.
More than 250 student members of the Pennsylvania State Education Association are spending two days at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, learning about current issues and how to be better teachers.
On Friday, as part of a community service project for the conference, about 75 education students from colleges across the state spent time in the Wayne Highlands School District.
With the theme of the Pennsylvania Future Educators Conference as "Lighting the way to our brighter future," the college students presented electricity-based lessons to elementary school students. Conference attendees also spoke to high school students about their learning styles and how to best reach them.
"The kids were really enthusiastic," said Cassie Rosenwald, a Carlow University student and president of the PSEA student group. "We had a great turnout."
Later on Friday, the students learned about pensions, the new teacher evaluation system and heard from PSEA President Mike Crossey. Break-out sessions focus on special education, classroom management, technology and a dozen other topics. Speakers are from across the state and include Ryan Devlin, the 2013 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
"They're learning how to be better teachers," said Chris Budano, assistant director of education services for PSEA.
The conference, which ends today, also features plenty of time for networking.
With many districts statewide laying off teachers, it has never been so important to make connections, the students said.
And being involved in PSEA's student group and learning at the conference can make students more marketable when they look for a job, said Jacey Royer, a Penn State student and vice president of the group.
"We're trying to prepare ourselves as much as we can," she said.
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