Area schools are encouraging students to think about careers in teaching. In May, more than 250 students explored careers in education at the Think About Teaching Conference at Nazareth College. A collaboration by Monroe County school districts, area colleges, universities and advocacy groups, the conference was so successful that plans are already underway for next year's event, tentatively scheduled for March 2002.

Allan Berry, Director of Personnel and School Community Relations at Brockport Central School District, is coordinating the next conference, which he says will closely follow this year's format. "The event was successful due to the collaborative efforts of so many individuals dedicated to the exciting and rewarding field of education," he said. "Brockport will again be involved in this worthwhile event because our district sees value in taking a proactive approach to recruiting underrepresented populations in the school workforce."

This year's conference featured an inspirational keynote speech by nationally renowned educator Marva Collins and a variety of workshops dealing with life, college and career planning.