Educators Rising Alaska (EdRisingAK) is hosting its annual conference (virtually) February 28th – March 1st. EdRisingAK will host a number of notable speakers, featuring keynote speaker Nick Iligutchiak “Eskimo Ninja” Hanson, DEED Commissioner of Education Michael Johnson, UA Interim President Pat Pitney, UAF Dean of CNSM Kinchel Doerner, 2020 Teacher of the Year Amy Gallaway, and Dean of College of Education, Dr. Steve Atwater along with David Song, UAS Student Recruiter. Haliehana Alaĝum Ayagaa Stepetin will speak and offer a virtual dance performance, as well as Fairbanks’ Pavva, Iñupiaq dancers (led by UAF’s Professor Sean Topkok). The theme for this year’s conference is “Rising Above Adversity”.
“Our offices have been delivering materials and events virtually for years, and it’s exciting to embrace our current situation and offer an entirely remote conference. This is a unique opportunity, where we can reach more students who might not normally attend a live conference,” said Glenda Findlay, Director of K-12 Outreach, which houses EdRisingAK.
The EdRisingAK Leadership Conference will follow several days of student competitions, in various categories, including Public Speaking, Lesson Planning, and Children’s Literature. ALEKS testing will be available, as well as leadership activities including a workforce workshop and Indigenous student support. Breakout activities will include a Photo Booth and a scavenger hunt.
“EdRisingAK is excited to offer leadership skills to students from all over Alaska,” says Barbara Wadlinger, EdRisingAK Program Manager. “We hope this event can help to inspire more Alaskan students to become teachers in their communities or other Alaska locations.”
The 2021 Student Officers have been integral in helping with this years’ conference. They worked together to design a conference logo, cover social media, and help to boost student interest and involvement with the program. Past Student Officers and National Student Officers will offer panel discussions as well.
Educators Rising Alaska hopes to foster excellence within the state of Alaska by supporting middle school through collegiate level students on their path to become Alaskan educators. Our purpose is to inspire students from across the state, creating a scaffold on which rural and urban students can be encouraged, nurturing their enthusiasm to become future educators, administrators, councilors, aides, and supporting staff.
For the safety of our students, we ask that the interested public register prior to the conference.
For more information about this event or EdRisingAK, please contact uaf-edrisingak@alaska.edu.
Putt Clark, K-12 Outreach Communications Specialist — Educators Rising Alaska website
ecclark@alaska.edu (907)450-8408
