CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) — The next generation of teachers got a glimpse of their future Tuesday as nearly 400 high school students gathered at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for Education Day 2025, an event designed to celebrate teaching and encourage students to join the profession.

The all-day program, held inside the SIU Student Center, is one part of the university’s broader effort to help address the ongoing teacher shortage across Illinois and the nation. Students from dozens of high schools across the region spent the day exploring what it means to be an educator, and learning that teaching can be both challenging and deeply rewarding.

“This is an amazing day,” said Victoria Groves-Scott, dean of SIU’s School of Education. “We have over 400 high school students in the bui

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