Teach Today with Teachers of Tomorrow

By Broadside Staff Writer Deena Smith

For students who are interested in pursuing a career in education, but have difficulty navigating the 200- plus student groups on George Mason University’s campus, there is now an organization for undergraduate students that assists in gaining more field experience in the classroom, getting involved in schools in the community and opening doors for networking with education experts. Formed last year in an effort to gain volunteer opportunities for those interested in remaining in the education system after graduation, Teachers of Tomorrow is this week’s Club of the Week.

“We are a student organization that aims to unite Mason’s future educators and give them the knowledge and experience they need to be successful teachers,” said Teacher of Tomorrow’s president, senior Jessica Arias.

According to Arias, the organization hopes to provide students with the resources needed to enhance applications for grad school or other professional programs.

“We are looking more towards how it is to be an undergrad pursuing a field that is a lifetime career, so we foster a sense of unity for those who want to teach,” said senior Kevin Stofocik, one of the founding students.

Even though the organization has only recently begun its work, it has big plans for the upcoming year.

“Some of our goals for the year are to get Teachers of Tomorrow students into the Fairfax community, making a difference and learning at the same time,” Arias said.

The organization also hosts the Leadership Development Series, a program series open to any student interested in gaining leadership skills needed for the success in any profession. The series invites different speakers, often Mason professors and faculty members, to lead short seminars on topics such as ethics and time management. Those who attend at least five sessions will receive an official certificate from the College of Education and Human Development in Leadership Development.

For more information about Teachers of Tomorrow, contact Saher Javed, the club’s secretary, at sjaved3@gmu.edu or stop by a meeting this and every Thursday night at 6 p.m. in room 240A in the Johnson Center.