Central Wisconsin News

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

The School of Education and the Harju Center for Opportunities in Education at UW-Stevens Point are hosting this summit, which is designed for students in grades 9-12. The theme for this year is “In It Together,” and the event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It includes speakers and optional competitive events where students can showcase their developing career-related skills.

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

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

Educators Rising Wisconsin is coordinated by the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC). This network promotes teaching careers and supports future educators. With its growth to 98 chapters across the state it has become part of many districts’ Grow-your-Own teacher recruitment strategies.

WEAC aims to support educators before they enter classrooms through initiatives like Educators Rising hoping to address issues such as teacher burnout by providing guidance and mentorship 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 classroom settings Through Educators Rising educators of future can start getting that support preparation while also developing leadership skills confidence.”

Further information can be found at www.uwsp.edu/educatorsrising.

Since its establishment in 1894 UW-Stevens Point's School of Education has been central hub teacher preparation programs preparing future teachers majoring various fields including early childhood elementary physical special education also supporting those seeking certification K-12 secondary education.

UW-Stevens Point’s Harju Center for Opportunities in Education focuses on addressing educational inequities across Wisconsin by supporting access high quality teacher education preparation particularly emphasizing rural settings.