Nearly 300 enthusiastic high school students from 30 school districts across the state soared as they explored future career opportunities in education at the 2024 Educators Rising Wisconsin Annual Summit and Competition Wednesday, March 6, hosted by the UW-Stevens Point School of Education. [View Photos]
This year’s summit themed, “Take Flight and Soar!,” was intended for students in grades 9-12 and included speakers and competitive events. It provided high schoolers who may be interested in becoming teachers with inspiration from some of the state’s best.
This is the fourth year in row UWSP has been the host institution for the event, demonstrating how the Harju Center for Equity in Education at UW-Stevens Point aims to empower learners though collaborative, inclusive and sustainable opportunities.
“Educators Rising provides opportunities to explore education careers, develop skills necessary for effective teaching and make informed decisions about pathways to achieve their professional goals,” said Lynda Fernholz, UW-Stevens Point professor and assistant dean for the School of Education. “The organization cultivates highly skilled educators by guiding young people from high school through college and into the teaching profession.”
Lori Danz, the 2023 Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year, served as this year’s keynote speaker with her talk, “What Nature can Teach Us About Connection?” Breakout sessions were facilitated by distinguished educators, and 16 colleges and professional organizations took part in a recruitment fair.
Students attended breakout sessions led by award-winning teachers, K-12 teachers and social workers, statewide university faculty and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) staff. A number of competitive events and contests were held about lesson planning, leadership, public speaking, research and ethics. The top two scoring contestants in each competitive event qualified for the national competition.
UW-Stevens Point education students and faculty volunteered and took part in a panel at the event.
Educators Rising Wisconsin, coordinated by the Wisconsin Education Association Council and sponsored by the national Phi Delta Kappa organization, is a network of educators and students who promote teaching careers.
“This program is a direct solution to school staffing shortages because it supports and educates the next generation of teachers even before they graduate high school,” said Wirtz-Olsen. “Over half of new teachers leave the profession within the first five years, often citing lack of support and feeling unprepared. Educators Rising helps students develop strong leadership traits that are required of today’s high-quality teachers.”
“The Harju Center is honored to philosophically and financially support the amazing work of Educators Rising-Wisconsin, as together we look for innovative solutions to develop positive, passionate and prepared teachers to address this very real and growing need in our state and schools,” said Perry Cook, Harju Center director.
Since 1894, the School of Education has been the hub of teacher preparation programs at UW-Stevens Point. It prepares future teachers majoring in early childhood education, elementary education, physical education or special education. The School of Education also supports students seeking certification in K-12 and secondary education.
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