Students from Brazosport Independent School District showcased their dedication and talents at the prestigious 2023 Educators Rising National Conference held at the Renaissance Hotel in Orlando, Florida, this summer. The event, organized by Educators Rising, a division of PDK International, brought together over 2,700 attendees including students, teachers, administrators, and education professionals from across the nation.
Among the standout achievements, Olivia Bonnot and Katherine Odom, from Brazoswood High School, captured an impressive 2nd place in the Children's Literature K-3 category. The competition featured over 125 participants, making their achievement even more remarkable. In addition, Brazoswood High School student Liana Galvan compete in Lesson Planning and Delivery-Art, and Lydia Perez and Paulina Solis competed in Childrens Literature Spanish. Brazosport High School student Leslie Cabrera competed in Interactive Bulletin Board. While not all Brazosport ISD students placed in the top three, their participation and dedication reflect the district's commitment to fostering the next generation of educators.
Cameron Peters, teacher and TAFE sponsor from Brazoswood High School, expressed her pride in the students' accomplishments, stating, "Witnessing our students thrive and achieve recognition at the Educators Rising National Conference is a testament to their passion and potential as future educators."
Jaime Moreno, teacher and TAFE sponsor at Brazosport High School, echoed Peters' sentiment, remarking, "The dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by our students at the conference exemplify the bright future of the education profession."
The conference centered around the theme "Serving Our Community," encouraging attendees to engage in acts of service within their local communities throughout the school year. One of the conference's highlights was a large-scale service project, in partnership with the non-profit organization "A Gift for Teaching," aimed at collecting and distributing school supplies to support local teachers and students.
Keynote speakers included Kurt Russell, the 2022 National Teacher of the Year, and Roberto J. Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Education, inspired attendees to advocate for education through teaching. A range of engaging breakout sessions covered topics such as student leadership, teacher diversity, college admissions, financial aid, teaching pedagogy, and community service.
Delegates from BISD played an active role in shaping the future of the organization, participating in discussions and decisions that will influence the organization's direction for the next three years. Their input led to the selection of the 2024 conference theme, "Discovering Your Potential," and the adoption of the tagline "Forming Future Leaders." Moreover, the delegates recommended focusing on critical education-related issues, including "showing the good in education," "teacher salaries," and "school funding."
A highlight of the conference was the array of competitive events where approximately 1,700 students participated in individual and team competitions. These contests provided rising educators with opportunities to showcase their creativity, dedication, and professionalism. The closing session celebrated the top 10 semi-finalists and the top 3 finalists in each competition with medals, trophies, and ribbons.
Albert Chen, Acting CEO of PDK International, expressed his admiration for the students' accomplishments, stating, "Seeing the kids at the Educators Rising National Conference perform and be recognized; build life-long friendships and network; and be filled with wonder as they stretch and grow is one of the most rewarding aspects of working at PDK."
The success of Brazosport ISD students at the 2023 Educators Rising National Conference is a source of pride for the district and demonstrates its commitment to nurturing future educators. As preparations for the 2024 conference are already underway, students from Brazosport ISD eagerly anticipate attending the event to "Discover their Potential."
