UW-Stevens Point to host 2025 Educators Rising State Conference

High school students from across Wisconsin will explore future career opportunities in education at the 2025 Educators Rising State Conference and Competitions, to be held Friday, March 7, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
 
Hosted by the School of Education and the Harju Center for Equity in Education at UW-Stevens Point, the summit is intended for students in grades 9-12. Themed “In It Together,” the summit runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes speakers and optional competitive events where students can showcase their developing career-related skills.
 
Brian Collins, the 2024 Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year, will serve as this year’s keynote speaker with a talk focusing on how educators impact their students, communities and future generations. Breakout sessions will be facilitated by distinguished educators, with several colleges and professional organizations taking part in a recruitment fair.
 
More than 100 individual chapters will attend, including representatives from Abbotsford, Appleton, Augusta, Baraboo, Cambria-Friesland, Cuba City, Durand-Arkansaw, Granton, Greenwood, Hortonville, Lola-Scandinavia, La Crosse, Ladysmith, Mauston, Menomonie, Muskego, New Berline, Pardeeville, Pittsville, Platteville, Randolph, Rhinelander, Rio, Riverdale, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Wausau, Wauwatosa and Wisconsin Rapids.
 
Educators Rising Wisconsin, coordinated by the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), is a network of educators and students who promote teaching careers and support future educators. The organization has grown to 98 chapters across the state and is part of many districts’ Grow-your-Own teacher recruitment strategies.
 
WEAC is committed to providing support to educators before they enter the classroom. Through Educators Rising, they hope to combat teacher burn out by providing guidance and mentorship to those interested in careers in education early on.
 
“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.”
Learn more at www.uwsp.edu/education/school-of-education/outreach/educators-rising.
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. 
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.