Professional development day for Purdue Education teacher candidates Mar. 19

The College of Education will hold a Teacher Candidate Professional Development Day to help Purdue full-time student teachers prepare for the next steps in their teaching careers. This free event will take place on March 19, 2025, from 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus in Beering Hall.

Graciela Miranda
2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year Graciela Miranda

Keynote speakers will be Graciela Miranda, 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year, currently teaches ninth through 12th grade English language learners at Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Pike Township, where she works to incorporate parent and community connections within her classroom to maximize student success. Now in her 23rd year of teaching, Miranda is committed to her own continued learning and development and leads professional development sessions for new and veteran teachers.

Alumni speakers will include first year teachers Abbi Stringer and Sydney Piercy, and Purdue School liaisons Amber Ma and Brian Bettag.

The speakers will provide guidance, inspiration, and practical tips for job-seeking and their first teaching job. Recent graduates will discuss their first year in the classroom, and school administrators will give insights on the hiring process.

The last event of the day will be a panel discussion by administrators Jodi Day, principal of Battle Ground Middle School; Corey Robb, principal at Benton Central Junior/Senior High School; Cindy Preston, principal at Vinton Elementary School; and Sara Delaney, principal at West Lafayette Elementary School.

“This is a great opportunity for our teaching candidates to gather, reflect, and prepare for their careers in education,” said Jennifer Barce, assistant dean for teacher education in the College. “We really encourage participation as it is also a nice mid-term break to reconnect with campus and their peers.”

REGISTER by March 14

Source: Dr. Jennifer Barce, jbarce@purdue.edu