Tomorrow's Teachers: Helping tomorrow's teachers today
By Whitney Welch, coordinator of public information

Dozens of children at Pleasant Run Elementary in Lancaster are getting to interact with college students on a regular basis. These Cedar Valley students are helping the students with their studies, supporting them with events they hold and just showing them that they care. Who is responsible? The Tomorrow's Teachers.

Tomorrow's Teachers is a support organization for students enrolled in CVC's teacher preparation program. Students involved in the teacher preparation program gain the education and skills necessary to work in the child development field, and Tomorrow's Teachers gives students the opportunity to put what they've learned to use in the community.

"We work very closely with the Partners in Education program, which allows businesses to 'adopt' a local school and contribute to them in various ways," says Jackie Glee, an advisor to Tomorrow's Teachers.

Tomorrow's Teachers has been involved in many activities with its adopted school, Pleasant Run Elementary in Lancaster. This past fall, the organization held a "Penny Drive" and raised more than 10,106 pennies on the CVC campus. The pennies were added to the elementary school's efforts resulting in $503 being raised.

"The main reason for Tomorrow's Teachers is to get faculty, students and staff involved as much as possible," explains Glee. "Members can volunteer, make a donation or go to the elementary school and participate directly in events."

Aside from the penny drive, Tomorrow's Teachers also participated in Dr. Seuss Day, which is a part of the National Education Association's Read Across America program. Organization members also assist Pleasant Run Elementary teachers with activities during Family Literacy Night. Family Literacy Night occurs once a month, and focuses on a specific academic area, such as mathematics, reading or writing.

Tomorrow's Teachers is in its fourth year of existence and holds meetings every other Wednesday at 9 a.m. in room C006. During the meetings, members discuss upcoming events, updates on conferences, participation in the Partners in Education program and involvement with other student organizations.

For more information on the Tomorrow's Teachers organization, please contact Jackie Glee at 972-860-8242 or jackieglee@dcccd.edu.