“The forum affords me the opportunity to become aware of the issues that are confronting other institutions and other locations in the country and also allows me to walk away with some ideas that I can take back to the great state of Virginia. It becomes a window of opportunity for us to sit down, share our experiences, talk about the advantages and disadvantages of issues that are confronting us, and make the appropriate changes so that we can do better at the most important task — which is to educate our young people.”
“When I came to the forum, I wanted to learn about ways that I can help my students plan and prepare for college. . . . The most valuable experience has been the motivation and inspiration — knowing that I can go back to the 120 students in my school in Jackson, Mississippi, and take those students who were given to me this year and create a success story. They can do it, and I can do it.”
“The forum raises my view of where I am. I think one of the downsides in our profession is we get so busy dealing with our students and their different issues that we forget about the big picture — the national picture, the international picture — of where our students are. . . . 
“The most valuable experience I’ve had here at the forum is meeting with so many professionals who not only have expert experience but experience on a research level. You usually expect conferences to have sessions where people pontificate about their own personal experiences in the workforce. Here you get some of that, but also A Dose of Southern Comfort
Lei Liang, a member of the Chinese Guest Teacher Program visiting the Richmond County School System, in Augusta, Ga.
Despite a rainy start, Southern hospitality prevailed at the Southern Regional Forum held Feb. 18-20 in Atlanta. One of the first things guests learned was the true meaning of the Southern saying “Bless your heart.” With that important lesson out of the way, Roy Jones, director of the “Call Me MISTER” program at Clemson University, took the podium at the opening session to share his program’s success in motivating young African American males to pursue a career in teaching. He was followed by inspiring words from Mark Joseph from Westcliffe Elementary in Greenville, S.C., a graduate of the program and
fifth-grade teacher who shared some very touching stories about
his students.
Breakout sessions covered top-of-mind subjects such as college affordability and student aid, diversity issues, and updates to the SAT® Program, including the newly launched Score Choice™. The joint assembly meetings provided a forum for educators and administrators to discuss issues of access and the need to provide educational opportunities for all students.
At the business luncheon, guest speaker Da Chen, a multitalented author, flutist and lawyer, treated the crowd to a musical performance and regaled them with stories of his childhood and educational experiences in China and the United States. Lei Liang, member of the Chinese Guest Teacher Program visiting the Richmond County School System, in Augusta, Ga., shared some of her successes as a teacher
in the West.
The forum concluded with a sense of hope and optimism about the state of education, proving that with passion and persistence, we can overcome the many challenges in our path.
Wallace Keese, director of student support services at Fort Valley State University, and a member of the Southern Regional Council
College Board Trustee Mike Malone |
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