The University of Wisconsin-Stout’s School of Education announced on March 17 that it will host two spring events aimed at supporting both aspiring and current educators. Teach Day is scheduled for April 21, while the annual Early Childhood Education Conference will take place on April 24 and 25.
These events are designed to address the need for more teachers in the state and to support their well-being in the classroom. Teach Day invites high school students to explore teaching careers through hands-on activities led by faculty and university students. The Early Childhood Education Conference, themed “Whole-Child, Whole Educator: Building Emotional Wellness in Every Classroom,” offers professional development for educators with a focus on mental health and emotional wellness.
“There has never been a more crucial time to introduce high school students to the profession of education,” said Shannon Donnelly, director of the School of Education. “The more we can help to shape the narrative around the positives of being an educator, the more it helps to recruit people to the profession and also to keep them there.”
Teach Day participants select one of several undergraduate program areas—such as art education, early childhood education, or special education—and engage in activities like the Teach Back Challenge and Future Classroom Design. Assistant Professor Jody Shong said, “By engaging in authentic, hands-on experiences and connecting with current education students and faculty, participants gain a better understanding of the impact and importance of the teaching profession. Events like this play an important role in strengthening the pipeline of future educators while also reinforcing the passion and commitment of those already preparing to enter the field.”
At the Early Childhood Education Conference, keynote speakers Dr. Julie Bates-Maves and Dr. Orinthia Harris (Dr. OH) will address topics such as teacher burnout and strategies for nurturing mental health among educators. The conference includes research-based workshops focused on creating inclusive learning environments.
Alyssa Bratsch, an early childhood education junior who volunteers at these events, said: “During toddlerhood, a child’s brain is developing rapidly, making it a crucial period for learning basic life and social skills… By providing early intervention to children of this age range with exceptional abilities, I will help them to build the foundation for success for the rest of their lives.”
The University features modern labs, studios, industry-linked spaces according to its official website. It is recognized as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University due to its practical approach blending theory with application according to its official website. As part of the University of Wisconsin System according to its official website, UW-Stout focuses on career readiness through hands-on learning and industry collaborations according to its official website. The university provides laptops for all full-time undergraduates via its eStout program according to its official website and builds partnerships with businesses for internships and career development according to its official website.
Looking ahead, organizers hope these initiatives will continue attracting new talent into teaching while supporting those already working in classrooms.
