The University of Houston, College of Education (UH-COE) is preparing to host nearly 2,000 high school students interested in becoming educators.  The Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE - pronounced "taffy") will hold its 32nd Annual Teach Tomorrow Summit January 30-February 1, 2016 at UH and the Crowne Plaza Hotel Near NRG-Medical Center.

High school students attending the TAFE Teach Tomorrow Summit, will have the opportunity to:

• Compete in 31 scholarly events
• Earn scholarships in:
  • Public Speaking Competition
  • TAFE Student of the Year Competition
  • Children’s Literature, Pre-K Competition
  • Children’s Literature K-3 Competition
  • University of Houston Scholarships
  • Meet other students who want to be teachers
  • Speak to university representatives from the top schools in Texas
  • Explore the University of Houston
  • Teach, share, compete, celebrate, and have fun!

Robert McPherson, Dean of the UH College of Education and Amber Thompson, Director of Teacher Education will welcome the students during selected general sessions.  Dave Burgess, author of Teach Like a PIRATE: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity and Transform Your Life as an Educator, is a keynote speaker. He will talk to students about creating classroom experiences that are life changing.  Additionally, motivational speakers and educators Danny Ciamarra and Nick Jackson will talk about how teachers inspire students.

“This conference gives students a chance to meet peers from across the state with similar interests,” said associate dean of Undergraduate Studies,” Andrea Burridge.  “They have the opportunity to attend sessions to help them learn what it take to be successful in college, and to learn skills necessary to become a successful educator.  We hope that this conference will inspire students to continue to pursue a career in education.” 

Sunday night, a cappella group Rhapsody, from UH’s Moores School of Music will perform.  In addition, there will be a special viewing of the documentary He Named Me Malala, an intimate portrait of Malala Yousafzai, who was wounded when Taliban gunmen opened fire on her and her friends’ school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley.

Monday morning’s closing session will be kicked off with a Pep Rally by UH’s Spirit of Houston Band.  Competitive events and breakout sessions will be held on the University of Houston campus.  General Sessions and Sunday night special events will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Near NRG-Medical Center.

The TAFE student officers are excited about the conference and cannot wait to share the voyage with future teachers. Here is what they had to say about the TAFE and the conference:

• “The state conference gives me the opportunity to share what the dream of being a teacher means to me,” said TAFE student president, Malorie Lambardia. “I am looking forward to leading the 2016 Teach Tomorrow Summit at U of H this year and finding the treasure in teaching.”
• “Ever since I joined this organization, I have become a more eccentric and outspoken individual,” said TAFE student vice-president, Sarah Reece. “I used to be afraid of public speaking, but I've learned through my chapter and all the people I have worked with, the true confidence that being a teacher instills in you.”
• “When students participate in TAFE they are able to experience the education field before they start their careers,” said TAFE student secretary Ashley Prax. “TAFE provides students with so many learning opportunities in order to help them grow as teachers.”
• “It is important for any and every student to participate in T.A.F.E. if they plan on being a teacher in the future,” said TAFE student state historian, Kearra Ieans. “Not only do you get the chance to experience teaching first hand, you also meet some of the most inspiring teachers, speakers, and students who share that same passion that you have.”

“It is my hope that the students leave the conference with a greater understanding of the education field, a clear vision of how to get into college to pursue their dreams, and knowledge of what it takes to be a successful college student,” said Donita Garza, TAFE State Program Director.

  The Texas Association of Future Educators, or TAFE is a co-curricular statewide non-profit (501 c3) student organization created to allow young men and women an opportunity to explore the teaching profession. ​The organization was created in 1984 to provide the best and brightest high school and middle school students in Texas with the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions about pursuing careers in education. TAFE is sponsored by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals and is governed by a board of directors comprised of teachers, students and principals.