Educators Rising is a new national CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization)
that directly supports the Teaching as a Profession Pathway. Students interested in the
education profession have the opportunity to participate in teaching activities and learn about
education related careers. Educators Rising is a community-based movement that provides
Grow Your Own educators through the Educators Rising Curriculum and supporting student
activities. With a presence in all 50 states, chapters are provided classroom resources along
with the opportunity to attend the State and National Conferences where members, teacher
leaders, and educators from around our state and nation come together to showcase the skills
they have gained in their education and training programs.
Educators Rising is represented in all 50 states and has been only represented in the
northern part of Utah until now. Students from North Sevier High School started a chapter this
year, and officers included Kason Merchant (President), Kamryn Larsen (VP) and Jacob Shelley
as Social Media manager. The students had the opportunity to observe teachers at work in the
elementary and middle school settings and participated in a National Read for the Record Day at the elementary. They also helped students from the elementary decorate cookies as a reward
for monthly reading.
Members of the group took the opportunity to compete at ther State Leadership Conference and competition and were the smallest school represented and the only school south of Provo, Ut. Even though they were the smallest school, they were represented with 5 students competing with 7 projects. Gracee Johnson (Senior), Kamryn Larsen (Senior), Kason Merchant (Junior), and Skylar Spainhower (Senior) competed in Lesson Planning STEM, Shealyn McDonald (Senior), Kason Merchant (Junior) and Neiko Bullard (Junior) competed in competed in Children’s Literature and Jacob Shelley (Sophomore) competed in Creative Lecture.
Student events are competitive and build skills related to building our future educators.
The members work together to compete at the state and national level and are recognized for
proficiency and achievement. Kason Merchant took 1st overall in the state for Lesson Planning
STEM and Jacob Shelley took 3rd overall in the state Creative Lecture. These two students
qualified to represent Utah in Washington DC at the Educators Rising National Leadership
Conference in June.
Educators Rising has 5 State Officers that choose a theme and plan the activities and
conferences for the coming year for the chapters throughout the state. The officers will
represent the CTSO at events throughout the state as they work to build the Educators Rising
program and bring it to all areas of the state. Kason Merchant will be the Superintendent for the
state and Jake Shelley will be over Membership and Recruiting and will work with 3 other
officers to accomplish their goals.
“North Sevier High School’s Educators Rising group is excited to be off to a great start
and hopes to continue to build relationships, strengthen leadership skills and prepare to become
our future leaders and educators. We hope to make more memories in the coming year and
want to encourage and welcome the new members coming in to bring new ideas and enjoy their
experience in Educators Rising,” said Coylene Brinkerhoff, advisor.
