Future educators gather at ISU for annual conference

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University was host to the 2nd annual Educators Rising Illinois state conference on March 6.

The conference is a community-based movement, in which groups at school feed teacher preparation programs at institutes of higher education. Over 750 high school students attended this conference who are exploring teaching as a profession. 

Educators Rising Illinois State Coordinator and 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Dr. Lindsey Jensen, spoke on the growth and mission behind Educators Rising.

“I’m extremely proud of the growth Educators Rising has experienced in the past two years,” said Dr. Jensen. “Educators Rising’s main mission is to provide students with meaningful experiences at the high school level to experience the joy of teaching.  Through their local clubs, coursework and clinical experiences students receive an introduction into education to determine whether or not teaching is for them, and it’s an absolute honor to welcome the next generation into our profession.”  

This conference included keynotes and breakout sessions from multiple leaders including the 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Kimberly Radostits.  This conference featured optional events geared towards providing attendees with experience such as children’s literature, job interviews and TED Talk creative lectures. 

Illinois Educators Rising President, Peyton Shelton, spoke on the way it has changed their high school perspective.

“Educators Rising has been the highlight of my high school experience,” said Shelton. “I have made so many friends and gotten so many opportunities.  I’ve attended several conferences, done a huge amount of community service, and just gotten irreplaceable hands-on experience in education.”