Future Teachers of America (FTA) is a club at Fair Grove High School that focuses on supporting teachers and cultivating students’ ambitions to be a teacher.
Nikki Kisling, the teacher sponsor of FTA, said, “The mission of FTA is to create opportunities for students to support the work of the teachers in our school while exploring their own interests in teaching as a career.”
Students join FTA for many different reasons. Mackynzi Sekulic (10), a member of FTA, stated, “I decided to join FTA because my mom is a teacher and I knew how important it was to support our teachers, so once I learned that the club was not only for those who want to be teachers but also for those who support teachers I decided to join.”
Kynlee Peck (11), another member of FTA, added that she joined FTA because in the future she plans on pursuing a career as a teacher.
FTA has many different events that members help run and work. Kisling stated that they help with the setting up of Grandparent’s Day as well as running the holiday shop.
FTA also allows their members to get first hand experience with teachers. Kisling continued, “Each year, we tour a college and students job shadow with a teacher from our district. We also support teachers every quarter with a teacher appreciation gift.”
FTA is able to help students gain better qualities and opportunities that can help them for their future. Peck stated, “Something I hope to get out of FTA would be the leadership and learning opportunities so that I could be a better teacher when I pursue that career.”
Sekulic added that she wants to gain an understanding of what the teachers, who teach her about many important things, go through on a daily basis.
Students have made good memories from being in FTA. Peck stated that her favorite memory of FTA was when she got to teacher shadow. She was able to shadow Mrs. Graves and learn how a kindergarten class is run.
Sekulic added that her favorite memory of FTA was going to Missouri State University, a trip that FTA takes during the school year. Sekulic was able to get to experience the education course that they offer and enjoy the trip with other students.
While FTA helps students benefit for their futures, teachers also gain relationships through the club. Kisling said, “…I will say my favorite part is the relationships I am able to build with my students.”
