AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Nearly 300 high school students met at Augusta University’s campus for Future Georgia Educators Day.  

It’s something done across the state to give high schoolers more insight into the teaching profession. 

Organizers are finding solutions in how to get more teachers in the classrooms. 

Teachers — they’re something we need more of. 

“We do not have enough teachers in our state. Every year hundreds of classrooms remain vacant with just a substitute or a teacher who may not be highly qualified to teach that particular subject area and we’re not growing enough teachers in the state,” said Mary Ruth Ray, coordinator for Future Georgia Educator Day. 

That’s why the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, or PAGE, has made it their mission to host events like this. 

“PAGE makes a concerted effort to hold FGE Day to bring in students from area high schools to a college campus exploring what it would be like to be a teacher,” said Ray. 

Students are taken through various workshops learning about why they should teach, what it’s like to work at a middle school and even education jobs beyond teaching.  

Daviney Tinker, a sophomore at Harlem High School, said: “It’s helpful because I can see how other people like it in the profession and how much you go through and what you do and how you inspire other people.” 

Tyler Malloy, a sophomore at Lakeside High School, is looking to become a teacher and then eventually a principal. 

He says having more men in the profession is important.   

“We need both men and women in this workforce because it’s mostly a female-dominated career path. But some students don’t have people in their life who are male role models, so if you have a man as a teacher, it can really help with that,” said Malloy. 

Brooke Blunt, a junior at Columbia Virtual Academy, is already looking forward to the future and the message she wants to share with her future students. 

“Even when no one believes in you just believe in yourself because you’re really the only person you will always have,” she said. 

Students were also able to attend a college fair. 

About 100 more students attended FGE Day compared to last year’s event. 

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign has kicked off and bell ringers are ready to greet you as you make your way inside the stores.

Last year, they exceeded their goal and raised more than $235,000.

Every time you donate, the money stays local and goes right back to the organization that is finding solutions in how to serve more people with your help.

Caroline Barrett has been ringing the bell for the Salvation Army for 30 years.

“It brings the Christmas spirit to you and makes you feel happy. It’s the time for Jesus and his birthday,” said Barrett.

It’s a job she takes seriously.

“We need more joy. We need people to smile, and it seems like all year long they’re sad. When they see somebody like that smiling and ringing the bell, they get happy,” said Barrett.

Every donation stays local and directly impacts people at the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope.

Major Jonathan Raymer with the Salvation Army of Augusta said: “Over the last two years, we’ve been able to get 300 people into housing. So without this piece of it, without this funding part, it’s difficult to do what we do at the Center of Hope.”

So far this year, the Salvation Army of Augusta provided shelter to nearly 25,000 people, served more than 57,000 meals and had 61 job skill grads.

You, at home, made this possible.

“We are infinitely blessed by the community and their amazing generosity. We saw that through Helene and we see that still to this day. People are willing to jump in and help. People willing to donate, and sign up to ring the bell,” said Raymer.

As the holidays approach, more volunteers are needed to ring the bell.

Barrett said: “I’m just happy to do this and keep on ringing every year and helping out the Salvation Army so they can help the people who are in need.”

For more information or how to sign up, visit Salvation Army’s website.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than 200 high school seniors across our area got their acceptance letters to Augusta University on Wednesday.  

This is through the university’s Early Action Program. 

Richmond County students at A.R. Johnson got a special surprise along with their letters on Wednesday.  

Students funneling into the media center at A.R. Johnson High School were oblivious. 

Not one clue or idea. All 19 of them were in for the surprise of a lifetime. 

“I would like to be the first to congratulate you on being admitted to AU the freshman class of 2025,” Director of Undergraduate Admissions Nathan Rice said during the surprise. 

With more than 3,000 early applicants, AU says the senior class of 2024 is their biggest and most competitive class yet. 

And Richmond County students are shattering records. 

“This year, A.R. Johnson had the most applicants in early action that we’ve ever received from any Richmond County High School, and the most early admits that we’ve ever had from any Richmond County school,” said Rice. 

It’s a wish they no longer have to stick on an early Christmas list. 

Alyssa Bryant, senior at A.R. Johnson, said: “It’s very exciting to be in one of the largest groups. AU is a really good school, and I’m thinking about going there. That’s one of my top choices. They really have a good health care program, and I really feel like that’s going to help me get into the nursing career.” 

It’s a sense of peace now within reach, just in time for the holidays. 

Addyson McPhee, senior at A.R. Johnson, said: “One of the heaviest things on my mind was like, am I gonna get in? Am I gonna get in? But like, now I can eat my Thanksgiving meal and be like, I’m going to AU.” 

The Augusta University student body continues to grow. 

Leaders say they’ve seen a 12.5% increase in early action this year with more than 2,900 students admitted in early action. 

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