TU builds pipeline of aspiring teachers through Educators Rising
College of Education partnership deepens impact on Maryland with statewide conference, new MSDE designation
By Rebecca Kirkman on April 7, 2022
Maryland Teacher of the Year Brianna Ross spoke to more than 200 aspiring teachers gathered in person and remotely at Towson University on Tuesday, April 5, about their unique position to impact the future of education.
“You have experienced education in ways that not one adult in this room understands,” Ross said, referencing the unprecedented era of virtual and hybrid learning brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. “You are the stewards of what the next generation of education looks like. The profession absolutely needs you, and I am so excited that you are the people who will be entering into this new era in education as we reimagine what teaching and learning can be.”
Her keynote kicked off the 2022 Maryland State Educators Rising Conference, Shaping the Future, which brought future educators and their mentors from across the state to campus for a day of education, networking and awards.
As the official state affiliate for Educators Rising, a nationwide organization providing a pathway to increase teacher diversity and quality, Towson University works with more than 500 Educators Rising members in 40 school chapters across eight counties in Maryland to support students exploring teaching as a career path.
This year, the conference had an added significance, with the recent designation of Educators Rising Maryland as a state-recognized Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO).
The CTSO designation, which came after more than three years of work led by Educators Rising state coordinator and Towson University special education clinical instructor Elizabeth Wynkoop, makes participation in the program more accessible to students by allowing school systems to apply federal funding to participate in Educators Rising.
Recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Educators Rising is the newest of three CTSOs in Maryland and the first new addition in a half century. It is the only program focused solely on education.
“We are thrilled that Educators Rising has been named a CTSO in Maryland,” says Wynkoop. “This designation will give our student members access to federal funding and allow for their full participation in the fantastic opportunities available through the program to pursue careers in education, helping to build a pipeline of future teachers throughout the state.”
As an extracurricular program, CTSOs are paired with career and technical education (CTE) programs of study. The College of Education (COE) is already home to the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM), a CTE program of study that seeks to address the persistent teacher shortage—particularly teachers of color—by increasing interest in the field among middle to high school students.
“The official CTSO designation aligns with the College of Education’s focus on advocacy and leadership through the selection of a Student State Officers team from districts across the state to engage in important dialogue and work at both the state and national levels,” says COE Associate Dean Laila Richman.
Together, Educators Rising and TAM deepen the College of Education’s impact on the state and address the need for diverse and highly prepared teachers in Maryland.
“This partnership provides us with a unique opportunity to interact with thousands of Maryland high school students who are exploring teaching as a career,” says COE Dean Laurie Mullen. “Just as importantly, it also directly supports our goal of being actively engaged in the state and region in urban education and equity in significant ways.”