Educators Rising seeks to bridge educator gap

By Jaci conrad Pearson Black Hills Pioneer

NORTHERN HILLS — The solution to the educator shortage may be sitting in the very arena they could one day benefit— classrooms across the state — and a program designed to inspire those with an interest in post-secondary education fields is striking while the iron is hot.

Belle Fourche School District Superintendent Steve Willard pointed to two programs, one in development, to mitigate the teacher shortage.

“Educators Rising is a program that is introducing high school student to opportunities in the field of education. Travis Lape is the director,” he said. “The DOE is also starting a Teacher Apprenticeship program. Don Kirkegaard is one of the project directors.”

Lape said Educators Rising South Dakota strives to help inspire the next generation of educators and started five years ago as a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO).

“CTSOs can provide a powerful platform for students to develop leadership skills, gain real-world experience, and prepare for careers in a variety of industries,” Lape said. “These organizations offer students the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and competitions that can help to build their skills and confidence and provide networking opportunities with industry professionals.”

Educators Rising South Dakota is helping schools set up their own Grow Your Own (GYO) programs to support and strengthen the education pipeline in their community.

“Almost 60 percent of teachers live and work within 20 miles of where they grew up,” Lape said. “Our future teachers in our communities are right in front of us. GYO programs are designed to help identify and cultivate potential teachers from within local communities, including high school students, paraprofessionals, and other community members. Educators Rising South Dakota hosts many events throughout the state to bring together students interested in the teaching career.”

Events include Learning Expos, Fall Leadership, State Conference, and Teacher Signing Day.

“Our final big event is Teacher signing day in May during teacher appreciation week,” Lape said. “This is an opportunity for our seniors who are going onto a teacher prep program to be celebrated in a fun event. High schools across the state have done this the past few years.”

By starting an Educators Rising chapter, schools can help provide resources and support for those interested in pursuing a career in teaching.

“This can include offering mentoring and coaching opportunities, providing access to resources such as workshops and training sessions, and connecting aspiring teachers with local schools and districts,” Lape said.

In addition, an Educators Rising chapter can help to raise awareness about the importance of GYO programs in addressing teacher shortages and improving the quality of education in local communities. By promoting the value of GYO programs, you can help to build support for these initiatives and encourage more people to consider a career in teaching.

“Overall, Educators Rising South Dakota is looking to address the teacher shortage as one way to help build a strong and vibrant education community in our state,” Lape said. “By providing support and resources for aspiring teachers, we can help to ensure that the next generation of educators are prepared and equipped to meet the needs of students and communities.”