Galloway, N.J. — Stockton University senior Lacey Wilson grew up around the teaching profession.

“My mom, Stephanie, is a teacher, so I was in and out of the classroom my whole life helping her with her lesson plans and working on her classroom,” said the Galloway native. Her mom is a sixth-grade teacher at Roland Rogers Elementary.

So, it’s only natural that she is studying to become one, too. The Mathematics major wants to make the subject “fun” and help other high school students follow the same path through Stockton’s second Future Teachers Conference on Oct. 22.

“I had a lot of teachers that were really impactful on my life and that helped with my educational journey,” she said. “So just being able to be that for other students and complete that cycle was important to me.”

Wilson and three other Stockton student-teachers discussed why they are joining the education field in one of the sessions at the conference, which featured about 300 students from 14 southern New Jersey high schools.

Stockton Education Professor Meg White and Assistant Professor Stacey Culleny organized the event that tripled in size from its debut in 2023. White said its primary role is to help with a teacher shortage in New Jersey, especially in world languages, sciences and special education.

“The New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education projects the state will need 2,500 additional teachers in the next five years,” she said. “We hope to continue these conferences as the need for teachers continues. (Preschool to 12th grade) educators serve as the backbone of every current and future career, resulting in one of the strongest influences on society.”

Kimberly Dickerson, the interim dean of the School of Education, said events like the conference build networks and help strengthen partnerships with area schools.

"This is important because it creates early connections between future teachers and the profession they wish to join," she said. "These events are essential to future teachers seeing themselves as part of that network, part of the profession they wish to join."

Culleny said the conference also highlights the university’s campus, the School of Education and its dual-credit program.

“Many attendees are enrolled in Stockton’s dual-credit Tomorrow’s Teacher course,” she said. “By providing notable guest speakers in the field and providing tours of the campus, we hope to not only pique their interest in teaching but also showcase our Teacher Education program.”

The conference’s keynote speaker, Atlantic County Teacher of the Year Christa Delaney, emphasized how important it is for teachers to connect with their students beyond lesson plans and grading tests.

“Over time, I’ve realized that what truly makes me the teacher I am today isn’t just what I teach, it’s the relationships I’ve built with my students,” said the Egg Harbor Township High School teacher, who graduated from Stockton in 2004. “When you think of your favorite teacher, what stands out the most? It’s probably not an exact lesson they gave you, it’s how they made you feel. They made you feel seen, supported, capable and important.”

Delaney also mentioned the teacher shortage and how young teachers can bring new ideas and creativity to inspire and energize those who have been in the profession for 21 years, like herself.

“We need people like you. We need your perspectives in schools. We need teachers who reflect the diversity of their students,” she said. “We need teachers who understand the power of empathy. We need teachers who can adapt, lead and inspire.”

Gerry Lorentz, Stockton’s associate provost for Academic Affairs, echoed Delaney’s words in his remarks at the beginning of the conference.

“I encourage you to think about the impact you want to have. Consider the lives you could touch, the challenges you might help students overcome and the opportunity you might have to support learners to grow and thrive,” he said. “As a teacher, every day bring the opportunity to make a difference.”

Having an impact on students’ lives is why Carlos Delgado wants to become a teacher. The Rancocas Valley Regional High School senior enjoyed attending the conference because he got a look at Stockton’s “beautiful campus” and the opportunity for experiential learning.

“I definitely have always been a big believer in looking at someone as a person before anything,” said the Westampton resident who wants to be a special education or Spanish teacher. “Being a teacher and talking and interacting with children every day, that’s the way you impact lives.”

Delgado also enjoyed seeing how different college was from high school and learning how Stockton prepares students for careers in education. One of his teachers, Mark Heiser, appreciated getting his students on the Galloway campus.

“I don’t think that even with all the guidance services that we have in high school that students really fully understand the full experience until they’re on a college campus,” he said. “And the fact that Stockton is sharing their current students and letting them talk about their experiences is just phenomenal for our students.”

Field trips are what students remember, Delaney said. The field and course work she took at Stockton prepared her for that first day she stepped into a classroom by herself 21 years ago.

“I promise you with my whole heart that teaching is worth it,” Delaney told the high school students. “The joy of knowing your work, your energy, your care and your time truly matters. These are the moments you’ll carry with you throughout your life. I can’t wait to see the classroom you’ll one day lead, the students you will inspire and the world you’ll help create.”

— Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Susan Allen

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