Alumni

We began in 2009 as Future Educators Association. Since then, hundreds of our student members have gone on to college to pursue teaching degrees. In fact, we have several alumni now taking over their own classrooms and continuing a legacy of great teaching. Here are some updates from our alumni:

Hana Cox Carpenter
Ritchie County High School Class of 2012
Fairmont State University Class of 2016

Chelsea Keith Reader
Ritchie County High School Class of 2013
Fairmont State University
West Virginia University
Teaches at Marion County Schools

Brittany Shaffer Reed
Ritchie County High School
Fairmont State University
Teaches at Creed Collins Elementary School, Ritchie County Schools

Mykayla Garrett Masters
Ritchie County High School
West Virginia University
Teaches in Doddridge County Schools

Tommy Kotol
Ritchie County High School
West Virginia Wesleyan College
West Virginia Wesleyan College Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach

Ashley Snider Fluharty
Ritchie County High School
WVU Parkersburg
Third Grade Teacher at Creed Collins Elementary School, Ritchie County Schools

Olivia Goff
Ritchie County High School Class of 2014
Glenville State College Class of 2018
Elementary Teacher for Ritchie County Schools

Madison Cunningham
Ritchie County High School
Glenville State College
Special Education Teacher at Creed Collins Elementary, Ritchie County Schools

Brittaney Steele (Burdette)
Roane-Jackson Technical Center Class of 2013
Glenville State College Class of 2017

My name is Brittaney Steele (Burdette), and I was actively involved in Educators Rising from 2011-2013. During my time there, I was a state and national winning member and the State President. I completed in the Public Service Announcement where I won second place at states and Resume and Interview where I won first place at nationals in Orlando, Florida. I also came back to judge the Resume and Interview state competition in 2016. Educators Rising was the best thing to happen to me during high school. I had the privilege to meet new people, discover my leadership skills, and find a new and great love for teaching. This experience changed me as a person, and still holds a very special spot in my heart. If it wasn’t for this organization, I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today. I attended Glenville State College, and received my Bachelor’s Degree in English Education in May 2017. Currently, I reside in Norman, Oklahoma, where I teach 7th grade Language Arts. Many years have passed since I have been an active member of Educators Rising, but I am still one proud alumni member, and will always cherish the memories I made during my time with such an amazing organization.

Kennedy Cochran
Fayette Institute of Technology/Midland Trail High School
Class of 2013
Glenville State College Class of 2016

Kennedy Cochran currently teaches science at her alma mater, Midland Trail High School. While a member of Educators Rising, Kennedy won the state and national competition in the Energy Education category. As a science teacher at Midland Trail, Kennedy is in charge of the school’s STEM teaching lab. The lab helps her create interactive, hands-on lessons that engage students and help them solve real-world problems. Kennedy was also recently featured on WVNS-TV.

Dorothy Davis
Webster County High School Class of 2016
Glenville State College Class of 2020

Dorothy was a founding member of Webster County High School’s Ed Rising chapter in 2013. She competed each year in the children’s literature category and was a completer in the Careers in Education program at WCHS. She did her capstone student teaching in middle school English. Dorothy is currently enrolled at Glenville State College’s teacher education program and is working on her bachelor’s degree and certification in secondary English. She is on track to student teach and graduate in the spring of 2020.  Dorothy wants to teach middle school English.

Mathias Palmer

Mathias Palmer
Webster County High School Class of 2018
Glenville State College Class of 2022

Mathias served as state Ed Rising officer for the 2017-2018 school year. He was a member of Webster County High School’s chapter throughout his entire time enrolled in the Careers in Education program. He completed the program doing his capstone student teaching in middle school physical and health education. Mathias also spent time while student teaching working with special needs students with intellectual disabilities. He is currently attending college and running track at West Virginia Wesleyan College pursuing his bachelor’s degree and teacher certification in secondary education. Mathias is still undecided as to whether he wants to teach physical education, health, or history and social studies.

Brieanna Wayne
Webster County High School Class of 2018
West Virginia Wesleyan College Class of 2022

Brieanna was a member of Webster County High School’s chapter throughout her entire four years of high school. She completed the Careers in Education program and did her capstone student teaching in kindergarten. Brieanna has a personality and energy well suited for early elementary. She is currently attending college at West Virginia Wesleyan College and working toward her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She plans to teach kindergarten.