Educators Rising West Virginia is a state affiliate of the national Educators Rising organization, a division Phi Delta Kappa International. We are committed to preparing students for classroom careers and to be change agents in their communities. Our mission is threefold:
- To provide students with opportunities to explore teaching as a career option.
- To help students gain a realistic understanding of the nature of education and the role of the teacher.
- To coordinate information for students about teaching as a profession, employment opportunities, college financial assistance options, and professional educational issues.
The West Virginia state chapter was founded in the fall of 2009. Back then the state organization, as well as the national group, was known as the Future Educators Association. Individual school chapters were founded and we began with about 50 members statewide. Students began competing nationally in the spring of 2011. Every year since, we have grown in members, school chapters, and participation at the national level.
In 2015, Phi Delta Kappa relaunched FEA as Educators Rising. The change was a reflection that many student members were already taking on the roles of educators through field experience teaching in their school coursework, service learning, and more.
Educators Rising works to connect motivated and bright students with their peers who are also considering careers in the education and human services fields. We also provide professional development and competition opportunities for students to better hone a variety of teaching and learning skills. Finally, we give back to our school system and community with a variety of volunteer and service events.
Check out the national Educators Rising organization by clicking their logo.
West Virginia currently has over 800 vacant teaching positions this school year alone and the United States is projected to need 1.5 million new teachers by 2020. Teaching isn’t just a career; it’s a calling. The process of creating the best teachers begins in high school. Educators Rising is a way for teenagers considering the education field to see if it’s for them. Students receive a jump-start on college teacher preparation programs and have a better and more realistic idea of what is required of a great teacher.
Educators Rising West Virginia is a recognized co-curricular Career and Technical Education Student Organization by the United States Department of Education and West Virginia Department of Education. If your high school or CTE center offers the Careers in Education or Early Childhood Education program, ask your teacher about Educators Rising!
Educators Rising West Virginia 