Wayne State's College of Education to host second annual Educators Rising Michigan Conference and Competition

DETROIT - The Wayne State University College of Education will host the second annual Educators Rising Michigan Conference and Competition on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Co-sponsored by the college, Michigan Education Association (MEA) and Lake Michigan Credit Union, the event will be held on Wayne State's main campus in Detroit.

"The College of Education is pleased to partner with the Michigan Education Association and Lake Michigan Credit Union to support our shared commitment to strengthen the teaching workforce in our city and state," said Dean Denise Taliaferro Baszile. "Innovative partnerships and pipeline programs are crucial to increasing interest in the education profession and cultivating students' passion for teaching. Education is more than a career; it is a cornerstone of opportunity and equity for all citizens as well as a pathway to transforming lives and building strong, vibrant communities and a better world."

Educators Rising is a national initiative for middle and high school students who seek to pursue careers in education. This event provides participants an opportunity to obtain content knowledge and teaching skills - such as instruction, responsive planning, reflective practice, and data analysis - as they engage with teacher education students, experienced educators and leaders in the education profession. The MEA facilitates Michigan's Educators Rising program.

"Collaborating with organizations across our state is essential to addressing the critical need for more high-quality teachers," said Annette Christiansen, Uniserv consultant and professional issues organizer for the MEA and coordinator of the Educators Rising Michigan affiliate. "By inspiring and empowering middle and high school students who aspire to teach, we are not only investing in their futures but also strengthening our education system, workforce and economy."

"An investment in education is an investment in our community," said Kiran Patel, regional community relations specialist. "This conference and competition provide a vital platform for students to explore their passion for teaching and the power they have to transform lives. We are proud to sponsor this initiative because it reflects our commitment to supporting educators and the communities we serve."

During the conference, students will explore topics ranging from certification requirements to instructional strategies, gain insights into admission processes and program details, and tour Wayne State's campus. Students can enter competitions in more than 10 areas - including bulletin boards, lesson planning and public speaking - and earn an opportunity to attend the Educators Rising National Conference in Orlando, Florida, which will be held Jun. 26-29.

"The college is thrilled to welcome aspiring educators to our campus and to the city of Detroit, where opportunity, inclusion and innovation intersect," said Nimisha Patel, assistant dean of the Division of Teacher Education. "Educators Rising offers middle and high school students a unique environment in which they can develop and practice their teaching skills. By exploring contemporary issues in education and engaging with education leaders who can serve as mentors, they will become teachers who can collaborate with the students, families and communities they serve and ensure all children have access to high-quality education."

Teachers and advisors of clubs and career and technical education programs 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. Educators who want to launch a program at their schools should visit educatorsrising.org/start-a-program.

Schools can participate in the conference for free. Participants will receive a continental breakfast, a buffet lunch and giveaways. Schools that want their students to participate should sign up by Jan. 15, 2025. To learn more and register, visit education.wayne.edu/educators-rising-michigan-conference-competition.

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 applied behavior analysis, elementary education, counseling, educational leadership and policy studies, exercise and sport science, 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.

Lake Michigan Credit Union: Lake Michigan Credit Union is the largest credit union in Michigan and the 14th largest in the country. Employing a staff of over 1,650 and serving more than 600,000 members, LMCU has 71 convenient branch locations, including 21 across the Tampa Bay area and Southwest Florida. LMCU provides a full range of financial services, from high interest-bearing checking accounts to personal loans, mortgages, business banking, investments and insurance. To find out more, visit LMCU.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #442967.

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.