By Tim Byers
Fifty education students attended a Bluffton Education Organization (BEO) meeting on March 21 where they experienced an energizing meeting hearing from 10 education graduates who shared their experiences from year one.

Words such as emotional, difficult but well-worth it, dedicated, extra-time, fun,
shocking, creative, teamwork, wonderful principals, fabulous co-teachers, well-
prepared, and other connections to their initial teaching year were shared.

Education professor Tim Byers, faculty advisor for the BEO said, "It meant
so much to the undergrads to hear from teachers that they knew just last year
as students.

"Their advice and guidance totally supports what we attempt to prepare them for on campus, and coming from a peer was invaluable. Our department is so proud of this group of 10 as well as the many other Bluffton graduates now impacting our public and private schools systems.

"It was one of the most positive sharing sessions we have ever had and all left
energized to be teachers that will make a difference."

Photo identification, top row to bottom row: BEO officers, from left, Elaina Alpeter, Amber Edwards, Megan Long, Shayla Hayes, Makayla Smith and Morganne Faler.

Second row, first year teachers: Kendra Parmenter teaching at Van Wert, Brier
Chappuis teaching at Defiance, Hunter Bosch teaching at Ft. Jennings, Claire
McConnell teaching at Elida, Sarah Luersman teaching at St. Gerard's, Lezlie
Thompson teaching at Spencerville, and Sarah Pridemore teaching at Lima City
Schools.

Third row: Justin Mattix teaching at Bucyrus, Nick Archer teaching at Wapakoneta, Rachael Schumm teaching at Liberty Benton, and Tim
Byers, BEO faculty advisor.