Grammy Award Winner and Educator to be at ESU This Summer
Emporia, KS (04/15/2019) — An area native, former teacher, administrator and faculty member at Emporia State is returning home for a few days this summer. Dr. Monte Selby will be at the 2019 Kansas Future Teacher Academy in June.
For 30 years, Kansas high school students looking toward the future have had the opportunity to see whether they want to be among the future generation of teachers, coaches, counselors, education researchers, speech therapists - every profession beginning with a degree in education.
"Monte worked with the academy for a number of years," said Dr. Roger Caswell, director of the academy. "When we were looking at what to do to make this year a little bit more special, it seemed natural to invite him back to the academy."
Selby works as a trainer and consultant, writing music with K-12 students. He's co-written eight books and composed more than 100 published songs, including the 2012 Grammy Award Winning Album "Check Your Attitude." He tours using songwriting as a teaching tool for children and adults at workshops and conferences worldwide.
Applications are being accepted for the 30th annual Kansas Future Teacher Academy; the application is available at www.emporia.edu/teach/kfta/. Current high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. Applications need to be submitted by April 19. The fee to attend is $100; all meals, lodging and materials are provided to participants through the academy.
"KFTA was one of the best experiences," said Hayley Yocum, a graduate of St. Mary's High School who attended the academy in 2013. "It is a great experience, and I'm so thankful for all the friends I met and information I received."
"I have had opportunities I would not have been able to have without KFTA," said Caitlin McAndrew-Beckman, an academy alumnus who attended Lawrence Free State High School. "Through KFTA, I have really been able to solidify what I want to do in my future."
The KFTA will be held June 9-13, 2019, at Emporia State University.
"Our goal is two-fold for the students: give them an overview of the process of becoming a teacher - including developing a lesson and working with children - and provide them with a keyhole experience of what it would be like to attend college as an education major," said Caswell.
Funding for the academy is provided by the Kansas Legislature and is coordinated by the Jones Institute for Educational Excellence at ESU. For more information about the academy, visit www.emporia.edu/teach/kfta/ or contact Roger Caswell at 620-341-5372.