Westminster College to Host 2023 Educators Rising Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fulton, MO – Westminster College is pleased to welcome approximately 200 high school students from across Missouri as the official host of the 2023 Educators Rising Conference at 10 a.m. on March 15, 2023.*

Young people at participating high schools who are interested in pursuing careers in education will convene on Westminster’s campus in 22 team-based and individual competitions.

Educators Rising Missouri Coordinator Ann Jarrett says that the competitions showcase experiential learning in action.

Competitions range from education job shadowing presentations to a popular contest that this year will involve nearly 30 students who created original children’s books.

Two-thirds of the competitions will allow spectators.

The event will culminate in the following activities:

• 2 p.m. in Champ Auditorium: Westminster education students will conduct a panel discussion on college life.
• 3 p.m. in Champ Auditorium: 2023 Missouri Teacher of the Year, Christina Andrade Melly, will give a keynote presentation followed by an Educators Rising Awards Ceremony.

Jarrett explains that Educators Rising is part of PDK International, which has an active group of education majors at Westminster College. The Missouri National Education Association sponsors Educators Rising in Missouri.

Education Chair Dr. Barri Bumgarner stresses that Westminster’s education program is one of the top performers in the state in relation to placement, test scores, and attrition, and as a result, she is pleased this year’s conference will take place at Westminster.

Bumgarner thinks the high school students will like what they see on campus. “An interesting national trend shows a general decline in education programs and college in general, post-COVID, but smaller programs like ours are on the rise, and I think the students will see why.”

Jarrett adds that a consistent highlight of the conference — which has taken place at various colleges and universities throughout the state for about 20 years — is the dining experience, and not just because students like to eat. Visiting a dining hall is typically a positive experience. “This is a great way for students to go back home and say, ‘Oh, the food will be good in college!’

“We’re really excited about going to Westminster,” Jarrett continues. “Most of our high school students are from far away and don’t know about all of the many good things Westminster offers. And they will be moving from building to building throughout the day to get a taste of what college life is really like.”

*The mission of Educators Rising is to cultivate a new generation of highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path from high school through college and into their teaching careers. By working with aspiring educators who reflect the demographics of their communities and who are passionate about serving those communities through public education, Educators Rising is changing the face of teaching.

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ABOUT WESTMINSTER COLLEGE: Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster College in Fulton is ranked prestigiously by U.S. News & World Report as the only National Liberal Arts College in Missouri. Westminster is listed as one of the top institutions in the country for economic mobility and return on investment, placing in the top 16 percent for graduate earnings with a more than 90 percent placement rate. Westminster also is a Forbes Best Value College that focuses on educating and inspiring students to become the world leaders of tomorrow.

To find out more about Westminster College, please visit our website at WCMO.edu.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Sarah Backer at 573-220-9038 or [email protected].