Education notebook: Mercer student to teach in China

Janet Valley, an undergraduate student in Mercer University's Tift College of Education, has accepted a full-time teaching position at Ameri-Can International Academy in Weifang, China, the result of a newly formed partnership between the two institutions.

Tift College formed the partnership with AIA in December to provide global opportunities for faculty in teaching and research, for students in student teaching and internships and for teachers in professional development.

Upon her graduation in May, Valley, who is majoring in early childhood education/special education, will become the first Mercer-trained teacher to obtain full-time employment with the academy.

"I look forward to being an ambassador for Mercer University, and I welcome this exciting opportunity to teach abroad," said Valley, who is completing her student teaching this semester at Factory Shoals Elementary School in Lithia Springs.

AIA is an international school managed by both American and Chinese principals. The Academy offers recent college graduates a generous salary and benefits package to work in kindergarten through ninth grade or as art or music teachers. This opportunity allows the newly minted teachers to become educational ambassadors, launch global careers, learn how to use the latest in classroom technology and strengthen prospects for graduate school and future employment.

PERRY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EARN ART HONORS

Perry High School National Art Honor Society students participated in the State National Art Honor Society Conference held at Piedmont College in Demorest in February. Perry students brought home an award and a scholarship.

The two-day conference is hosted annually by a high school chapter that partners with a local college. On the first day students compete in Artlympics in which one student per school participates in an hour-long competition in one of 10 categories. Students are judged against the other high school participants for "Best in Category." Perry High's Chloe Keadle won in sculpture.

Students may also participate in two scholarship competitions -- the National Art Honor Society Portfolio Scholarship and the Helen Fleming Stone Scholarship. Shelby Stamback won the $500 National Art Honor Society Portfolio Scholarship this year.

CGTC HOSTING CAREER FAIR IN WARNER ROBINS

Central Georgia Technical College will host a Career Fair on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on its Warner Robins Campus at 80 Cohen Walker Drive in the Larry Walker Arena on the south side of the campus. This annual event is free and open to the public.

The Career Fair allows employers to meet potential employees. This year's fair will also include several colleges presenting academic information for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees.

Some of the employers scheduled to participate in this year's fair include the Department of Juvenile Justice, Houston Healthcare, Spherion Staffing, Lockheed Martin, Home Depot, Navicent Health, Georgia Power and Kumho Tire, among others.

Attendees, "come with a resume in hand and are dressed for an interview," said Pat Ivey, director of career services for CGTC.

For any further information, contact CGTC career services at 478-218-3289.

GEORGIA'S FIRST LADY TO VISIT BIBB COUNTY

First lady of Georgia Sandra Deal will visit Taylor Elementary School in Macon on Thursday at 9 a.m. to read to first-graders and give out coloring books featuring endangered species to third-graders. The coloring books are aligned with third grade standards. Taylor elementary is located at 2976 Crestline Drive in Macon.

PLANT SALE COMING TO MGSU

The Middle Georgia State University Science Club, based on the Cochran Campus, is holding its annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday in the Dillard Hall lobby.

A variety of plants are grown and sold by students to support activities and trips. Most plants are sold in foam cups for $1 each. Some plants in larger pots are available for $2 to $5 each. This event is open to the public.

Plants available this year include various vegetables and herbs, and some hens and chickens will also be for sale.

To contact writer Jeremy Timmerman, call 744-4331 or find him on Twitter@MTJTimm.

This story was originally published March 20, 2016 at 9:41 PM with the headline "Education notebook: Mercer student to teach in China ."