To promote educational excellence, the Alabama Education Association serves as an advocate for its members and leads the advancement of equitable and quality public education in Alabama.
Future Educators Gather in Auburn to Learn More About the Teaching Profession
Click HERE to view photos from the 2026 FTA Conference
Click HERE to view photos from the 2026 SAEA Conference
On Friday, February 6, 2026, 500 students gathered in Auburn for the Future Teachers of Alabama (FTA) Conference. This year, two FTA Conferences will be held: one for schools in the western half of the state and one for those in the eastern half.
FTA offers an informative extracurricular activity for middle and high school students interested in exploring education as a career.
Students connected with representatives from colleges and universities, gaining valuable insights into their respective education programs. They also learned about scholarship opportunities, admission requirements, and unique features of each institution.
Conference Highlights included a warm welcome from outgoing FTA President Solomon Moore and the dean and associate dean of Auburn University’s College of Education. Both leaders emphasized the importance of educators and the education profession.
Participants chose from engaging breakout sessions, including “Going to College 101,” “Gathering Tools for the Educator Toolbox,” and “Sparking Curiosity: Bold Strategies for Engaged Elementary Learners.” In these sessions, they explored college success, how to develop teaching skills in high school, and ways to spark curiosity in young learners.
The event concluded with a farewell to the outgoing officers and a warm send-off. Attendees left with new friendships and enthusiasm for their futures in the education profession.
The same weekend, the Student Alabama Education Association (SAEA) held its annual conference on February 6-7, 2026. The conference began on Friday night with s’mores and a “Back to the Future” themed mixer.
Bright and early Saturday morning, college students attended the conference’s opening session, which featured keynote speaker Hannah St. Clair, Chair of the NEA’s Aspiring Educators program. St. Clair urged students to remember why they chose to enter education and to keep those reasons at the forefront of their minds as they continue their professional journeys.
Following the keynote address, candidates running for SAEA officer positions delivered their speeches. Conference attendees elected nine of their peers to the 2026-2027 SAEA State Board. The new officers are Heaven Thomas, President; Isabella Nguyen, First Vice President; Emma Dagley, Second Vice President; Ivy Grace Smith, Secretary; Vanessa Corona Rios, Gracie Mason, Deandrea Moorer, Jerlyn Henderson, Regional Directors; and Kyoko Johns, State Faculty Advisor.
The students transitioned into their breakout sessions, which included topics such as “Preparation for the First Year of Teaching”, “Workplace Do’s and Don’ts,” and “Leveraging Up: A Real Conversation About Grad School for Future Educators.” Students learned the importance of effective communication with parents and guardians, how to maintain professionalism in the workplace, and what is needed to advance themselves academically. Other breakout sessions were led by professors from various colleges and universities in Alabama and AEA staff members.
The final session concluded with a message from outgoing SAEA President Jayla Griffin, who expressed her gratitude for her fellow officers, advisors, and the students she had the opportunity to serve.
At the conclusion of the conference, students left energized and ready to begin their careers as educators.
For more information on SAEA or if you are interested in sponsoring an FTA chapter at your school, please contact Suzanne Clemons at suzanne.clemons@alaedu.org.