More than 1,000 students and teacher leaders attended the 2018 Educators Rising National Conference in Orlando, Florida, June 21-24. Among them were 14 Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) students enrolled in the division’s Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow classes at Bayside, Cox, Kellam and Tallwood high schools.
In addition to professional learning and networking opportunities, the conference featured national competitions for 21 events. VBCPS students qualified to compete at the national level after winning first-place or second-place awards at state competitions earlier in the school year.
According to the organization’s website, “Educators Rising national competitions are performance-based competitive events in which teenage, aspiring teachers demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and leadership in education. With a blend of individual and team events, competitions are authentic, engaging opportunities for rising educators to stretch their creativity, commitment, and professionalism.”
The knowledge, skills and leadership demonstrated by VBCPS students earned them three national titles and three top-10 finishes in five individual and team events.
Congratulations to the following award winners:
- First Place: Kaitlyn Ashcraft, Kellam High School, Exploring Education Administration Careers
- First Place: Cegan Hinson, Tallwood High School, Impromptu Speaking
- First Place: Madeline Arndt, Sarah Baust, Kylee Hines, Robyn Sanders, Katherine Stauch; Cox High School; Inside Our Schools
- Fourth Place: Aubrey Redifer, Bayside High School, Exploring Non-Core Subject Area Teaching
- Eighth Place: Lewis Jackson, Kellam High School, Impromptu Speaking
- Eighth Place: Isaiah Gifford, Ashlyn Hockman, Brianna Anderson; Tallwood High School; Researching Learning Challenges
In addition to making their mark in Educators Rising competitive events, the VBCPS delegation won another title – Most Spirit – on the last day of the national conference.
To learn more about Educators Rising, visit www.educatorsrising.org.