The first-ever Education Signing Day was held Friday at Wales Roanoke Middle School.
Area colleges partnered with Jeff Davis administrators and educators to celebrate students who aspire to become teachers.
Daniel Simien, who serves on the Jeff Davis Parish School Board, said about 12 Welsh high school seniors are already pursuing bachelor's degrees in education.
“It really means a lot,” Semien said. “I often feel that education doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, but being an educator influences every other profession, so it’s great that so many students aspire to become educators in the future. I'm really happy.”
Alumni like Sadie Archan and Tara Abshire said they are looking forward to attending McNeese State University in the fall and are grateful to the teachers who paved the way for them.
“Misty Thibodeau was my advertising teacher and made my high school experience a great experience,” Achan said. “I’m grateful for that because now I want to be a teacher.”
Tara Abshire said she hopes to pursue early childhood education with the help and support of her teachers and family.
”[I enjoy just] You see their eyes light up when something goes well, or when they're just excited about something,” Abshire said.
Seniors who decide to become educators and return to their hometowns to work will be given a sign-on bonus after graduating from college, Jeff Davis School Board officials said.
Board members also said their goal going forward is to make Education Signing Day an annual event and resource for students and families.
