Appalachian Future Educators continue to Soar at MSU
The Appalachian Future Educators (AFE) program continues to enhance the pipeline of qualified educators and educational leaders returning to the 22 counties in MSU's historical service region.
Recently, AFE student Gwen Akers, a junior English education major with a Spanish minor from Ashland, sought to find out if Appalachian literature is present in Appalachian-based classrooms and what that connection might mean for students.
“As a student who went to school in Appalachia, I really didn’t read a lot of Appalachian literature in schools. I only read you know, maybe one or two books here and there. I wondered, Is this the same? And how can we get these books out to other people.” said Akers.
Akers hopes to be able to give back to Appalachia by teaching in the region upon completing the program. Her research was recently featured in Rural Schools Collaborative, an organization whose mission is to build sustainable rural communities through a keen focus on place, teachers, and philanthropy.
AFE members collaborate in small groups and focus on service-learning opportunities that address educational needs within the local area and MSU service region. Each AFE Scholar is also paired with a mentor from the Volgenau College of Education to assist in the transition to university life.
Dr. Kimberlee Ann Sharp, director of the AFE program and professor of teacher education, said the need for teachers in the service region is at an all-time high.
“AFE is striving to prepare highly qualified new teachers who will return to their home school districts in the 22-county service region of Morehead State University. Our work will hopefully mitigate the teacher shortage problem in our region by filling vacancies with well-prepared, enthusiastic teachers in all subject areas.” said Dr. Sharp.
MSU’s service region includes Bath, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Rowan, and Wolfe counties.
To learn more about MSU’s Appalachian Future Educators Program, contact r.roach@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2845.
For more information on the Volgenau College of Education, email ad.miller@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2845.
