Young Educators on the Rise
Educators Rising club members attended a conference to better understand being an educator
On Mar. 14, members of Educators Rising attended a conference at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, VA that included several workshops that helped the students gain experience in education, giving them a glimpse of what the field is really like.
Educators Rising is a volunteer club that goes to elementary and middle schools every Tuesday before school. The club is made up of students who are dedicated and either want to be teachers or just like the idea of volunteering and being with children.
Senior Sarah Robertson, club member, wants to be an elementary school teacher, so being in the club has helped her gain experience in working with kids.
“I’ve been in this club for a long time, and I love being able to go into the classrooms. It gives me experience that will help me in the future,” said Robertson.
Robertson and the other attendees were able to choose which workshops they wanted to participate in – some of which included information about technology use in the 21st century classroom, “Librarians- Not just Bookworms” which outlined what the job actually entails and “Collaboration- Be Part of the Solution.”
“I went last year, and it was very different because much more helpful workshops were offered. I went to the 21st century classroom, but it wasn’t very good. We did an activity which was just to read an article, so it wasn’t what I was expecting,” said Robertson.
Students also had the opportunity to speak with people in the field through a Q & A with teachers that were once Loudoun County students and conversations with a children’s book author Jennifer O’Connell.
“The author, was very kind; she gave us helpful advice that can benefit any student going into the education field,” said Robertson.
A representative from the Loudoun County offices also gave the students helpful tips that they future teaches would need to know, such as writing their resumes that they will need when applying to be a teacher at any school.
“The club provides an excellent opportunity for students who are considering becoming an educator, and the field trip was a great hands-on experience for them,” said Shirell Ashwell, club sponsor.
