Steubenville Educators Rising students attend national conference
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STEUBENVILLE -- Six members of the Steubenville High School chapter of Educators Rising delivered presentations at the organization’s national conference in Portland in June.
Senior Adelyn Johnson and juniors Sara Sullivan, Stella Schiappa and Clara Hoffman submitted a paper and delivered a presentation on their findings on leaning challenges faced by those who are hearing-impaired, while sophomore Emily Martin and freshman Madison Jerideau each answered questions from a panel of judges on the children’s books they wrote and illustrated.
M.J. Burkett, the club’s adviser, noted the six qualified for the national event after placing in the top 10 in their respective categories at Educators Rising’s state conference held in Columbus in March.
About 823 students from 45 schools competed in the event.
Burkett said while the six didn’t place in the top 10 at the national event, which was attended by more than 3,500 students, the five-day event was a very educational experience for them.
He noted the team of Johnson, Sullivan, Schiappa and Hoffman included a unique element in their presentation, with Sullivan interpreting the spoken words in American Sign Language.
She and other students on the team learned the skill through a course taught at their school by Jessica Cheslar.
Burkett noted Jerideau wrote a book on kindness aimed at pre-schoolers and Martin wrote one for children in kindergarten through third grade about adapting to change.
Asked if the students were permitted to use computers to illustrate the books, he said, "All of the artwork had to be hand-drawn."
Sullivan noted the books reflected long-time interests for the two students. Jerideau enjoys the Japanese world of anime, while Martin began writing stories at an early age.
He said while attending the conference, the six met students from throughout the country, with participants hailing from Alaska, Hawaii and other states.
They also had time for hiking at Multnomah Falls, which extend 620 feet above the Columbia River Gorge; and visit Voodoo Doughnuts, a bakery offering more than 35 varieties of the treat and open 24 hours a day to satisfy its many customers.
Of the students’ participation in the conference and stay in Portland, Burkett said, "It was a good experience. I think they really enjoyed it."
Burkett noted it was the third year Steubenville students have attended Educators Rising’s national conference, which usually has been held in Orlando, Fla.
With the change in location not anticipated, the group had only a little time to do the needed fundraising and it owes much to the support of the Steubenville Board of Education for this year’s participation, he said.
Burkett said next year’s national conference will be held in Columbus, so he helps more students will qualify for it at the state level.
With more than 1,400 chapters across the U.S., Educators Rising is aimed at inspiring and fostering an interest in teaching among high school and junior high school students.
Burkett said Superintendent of Schools Melinda Young had suggested establishing the local chapter a few years ago, and he has served as its adviser since.
He said many members of the chapter are students in the high school’s Teacher Academy and Training course, though it’s not required for membership.
In the class, students learn about various aspects of the teaching profession from Burkett and various guest speakers and through hands-on activities.
He said while not all of the students have gone on to become teachers, they have learned valuable skills, from public speaking to providing instruction to their peers.