SC Wisconsin News

High school students from across Wisconsin will have the opportunity to explore future career opportunities in education at the 2025 Educators Rising State Conference and Competitions. The event is scheduled for Friday, March 7, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

The conference is hosted by the School of Education and the Harju Center for Equity in Education at UW-Stevens Point. It targets students in grades 9-12 under the theme “In It Together.” The summit will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring speakers and optional competitive events that allow students to showcase their developing career-related skills.

Brian Collins, recognized as the 2024 Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year, will deliver this year’s keynote address. His talk will focus on how educators impact their students, communities, and future generations. Breakout sessions will be led by distinguished educators, and several colleges and professional organizations will participate in a recruitment fair.

More than 100 individual chapters are expected to attend, with representatives from various locations including Abbotsford, Appleton, Augusta, Baraboo, Cambria-Friesland, Cuba City, Durand-Arkansaw, Granton, Greenwood, Hortonville, Lola-Scandinavia, La Crosse, Ladysmith, Mauston, Menomonie, Muskego, New Berlin, Pardeeville, Pittsville, Platteville, Randolph, Rhinelander, Rio Riverdale Milwaukee Sheboygan Wausau Wauwatosa and Wisconsin Rapids.

Educators Rising Wisconsin is coordinated by the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC). It is a network of educators and students promoting teaching careers and supporting future educators. The organization has expanded to 98 chapters statewide and is part of many districts’ Grow-your-Own teacher recruitment strategies.

WEAC aims to support educators before they enter classrooms. Through Educators Rising they seek to combat teacher burnout by providing guidance and mentorship early on for those interested in education careers.

“Educators Rising helps students prepare for education careers in multiple ways,” said WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen. “More than half the teachers who go into the profession leave within five years and they often report feeling unprepared and finding a lack of support in the classroom. Through Educators Rising the educators of the future can start getting that support and preparation while they also develop leadership skills and confidence.”

The School of Education at UW-Stevens Point has been central to teacher preparation programs since 1894. It prepares future teachers majoring in early childhood education elementary education physical education or special education. The School also supports students seeking certification in K-12 and secondary education.

UW-Stevens Point’s Harju Center for Equity in Education focuses on addressing educational inequities in Wisconsin by supporting access to high-quality teacher education preparation for elementary and middle-level educators with an emphasis on rural settings.

Learn more at www.uwsp.edu/education/school-of-education/outreach/educators-rising.