Rider hosts conference for future educators

On March 16, Rider University hosted about 120 high school students from across the state as part of the New Jersey Future Educators Association’s (NJFEA) Winter Conference. 

The event offered an opportunity for students currently in 9th through 12th grade who are interested in teaching careers to learn from leaders in the field, network with peers and gain familiarity with participating teacher education programs at colleges and universities throughout New Jersey.

It also gave the students a chance to get an up-close look at the Rider campus and community.

“It's extremely important to Rider for us to be able to bring together future educators with our faculty and alumni to show them what is possible through a Rider education, particularly one in such a rewarding and special profession as teaching,” says Director of Undergraduate and Transfer Admission Susan Makowski, who helped organize the conference.

Highlighting the conference was a keynote address called “I Teach. What’s Your Superpower?” by Theresa Maughan, an instructor at East Orange High School who was named 2021-22 State Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Education Association.

In addition, a number of Rider students, faculty and alumni served as guest speakers and shared their depth of knowledge on a wide range of topics. Dr. Susan Dougherty, an associate professor in the College of Education and Human Services, gave a presentation titled, “Picture Books and Science Learning in Grades K-3.”

Recent Rider alumni who have gone on to successful teacher careers delivered the following presentations:

• David Eggert '18, a fourth-grade special education teacher in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District, spoke about "Modifying with #EdTech."
• Alexis Esposito '17, a business teacher at Lawrence High School, gave a presentation on "Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health as an Educator."
• Juli Ezzo '20, an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in the Franklin Township Public School District, spoke about "The ABCs of ESL."
• Brooke Stock '19, a social studies special education teacher at Ewing High School and Shayne Kelly, a 10th grade U.S. history at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, talked about "Gen Z As Teachers: The Importance of Relationship Building."

The conference concluded with a group of six current Rider students leading a panel discussion on their experiences as student teachers.

Esposito says the day was meaningful to her because it gave her a chance to pay it forward. 

“I entered my teacher preparation program after speaking to someone else who went through it, so now being able to speak to aspiring teachers and help them find their path just seems right,” she says. “No matter what school or program someone enters, all teachers and future teachers need to stick together, so if I can be a helping hand to anyone thinking about entering the field I will.”

For Eggert, one of the highlights of the experience was being able to represent his alma mater. “It is so rewarding to serve as an ambassador for Rider University,” he says. “Without the wonderful community within the College of Education and Human Services, I would not be the teacher I am today.”

Esposito concurs, adding, “I owe so much to Rider for helping me become the teacher, and person, that I am today. The education that Rider provides through the Department of Teacher Education is unmatched, and I love being able to share my experiences so that people can see that.”