DETROIT — Wayne State University will host the inaugural Educators Rising Michigan Conference and Competition on Wednesday, March 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Co-sponsored by the College of Education and Michigan Education Association (MEA), the event will take place on the university’s main campus in Detroit. Meals, workshops and presentations will be held in the Student Center (5221 Gullen Mall), and competitions will take place in the college (5425 Gullen Mall). Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is slated to give remarks during the welcome, which begins at 9 a.m. 

Educators Rising is a national initiative for middle and high school students interested in education careers. Participants build content knowledge and develop important teaching skills — including instruction, responsive planning, reflective practice and data analysis — through interaction with and instruction from experts and leaders in the education profession. The MEA facilitates Michigan’s Educators Rising program. 

“The College of Education is thrilled about collaborating with the MEA to host the first Educators Rising Conference and Competition in the state,” said Dean Denise Taliaferro Baszile. “The demand for quality education requires expanding our teaching workforce, and exposing more young people to teaching careers is an important strategy. The college is committed to preparing educators to make a difference in Michigan’s classrooms and communities. Partnerships like this allow us to amplify our impact, drive innovation forward and create brighter futures for Michigan students.” 

During the conference, students will attend breakout sessions led by teacher education experts, meet with academic advisors and tour Wayne State’s campus. They also have a chance to attend the Educators Rising National Conference in Washington, D.C., from Jun. 28 to Jul. 1, by entering competitions in several categories, including bulletin boards, teacher-created resources, lesson planning and public speaking. 

“We are very excited to welcome high school students from across the state to the Educators Rising Conference and Competition at Wayne State University,” said Nimisha Patel, assistant dean of the Division of Teacher Education. “This event is a tremendous opportunity for these students to embrace their interest in education, evidence their knowledge of quality teaching and learn from experts in the field. Spending time learning about equity in education within the city of Detroit provides them with a unique experience that highlights the importance of working and collaborating with families and communities as part of strong pedagogical practice.” 

“We must engage, encourage and empower middle and high school students who aspire to teach,” said Annette Christiansen, Uniserv consultant and professional issues organizer for the MEA and coordinator of the Educators Rising Michigan affiliate. “Nurturing their ambition is an investment in our education system. Partnering with Wayne State’s College of Education ensures participants have the guidance, resources and mentorship needed to become successful education professionals.” 

Teachers and advisors of clubs for future educators can join Educators Rising Michigan for free. The student membership fee, which is a Perkins-eligible expense, is $15. Educators and students interested in joining the program should visit educatorsrising.org/join-1. 

Individuals who teach career and technical education courses or elective classes for aspiring educators or those who serve as advisors to school clubs for future educators are needed to help coordinate the conference and competition. Interested educators should contact Christiansen at achristiansen@mea.org or visit educatorsrising.org/start-a-program. 

Conference registration is free and includes a continental breakfast, a buffet lunch and giveaways. Individuals interested in attending must register by Wednesday, Feb. 28. To learn more and register, visit education.wayne.edu/educators-rising-michigan-conference-competition.    

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Wayne State University College of Education 
Anchored by its commitment to social justice, equity and inclusive excellence, the College of Education offers degree programs in more than 25 areas, including elementary education, counseling, educational leadership and policy studies, educational psychology, educational research and evaluation, exercise and sport science, learning design and technology, special education and sports administration. To learn more, visit education.wayne.edu. 

Michigan Education Association 
Begun in 1852 as the Michigan State Teachers Association, the Michigan Education Association is a self-governing education association representing about 120,000 teachers, education support professionals and higher-education employees throughout the state. Its mission is to protect, advocate and advance the rights of all education professionals to promote quality public education for all students. Visit mea.org for more information. 

Educators Rising Michigan 
Launched in 2015 as the Future Educators Association, Educators Rising is cultivating a new generation of highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path from high school through college and into their teaching careers. By working with aspiring educators who reflect the demographics of their communities and who are passionate about serving those communities through public education, Educators Rising is changing the face of teaching. To learn more, visit educatorsrising.org.  

Wayne State University 
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs to nearly 24,000 students. For more information, visit wayne.edu.  

 

Media contact:
Tracy Boyce
am8194@wayne.edu
313-577-0260

Faculty spotlight

• Nimisha Patel
• Denise Taliaferro Baszile