Educators Rising Conference Helps Grow Future Teachers

March 18th, 2019

Earlier this month, approximately 100 HCPSS high school students came together for the countywide Educators Rising Conference at Marriotts Ridge High School. The students learned about the educator career path through breakout sessions, a college fair and a keynote speech by Superintendent Michael J. Martirano.

The conference, open to any HCPSS high school student interested in teaching, showcased state opportunities to enter the education field. Participants could hear from the Maryland State Department of Education on teacher preparation programs, meet college representatives about their education departments, create classroom materials with the Howard County Library System and more.

Marriotts Ridge junior Montara Clay is the Educators Rising treasurer at her school and enrolled in the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM). Clay appreciated getting college resources from the conference and hopes to work with an HCPSS mentor, as she pursues her goal of teaching business and career prep for secondary students.

Kristen Trainer, also a Marriotts Ridge junior, is on her school’s Educators Rising board and in TAM. That day, she was most excited about being exposed to students and educators from across the county, as she works toward her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher.

From the HCPSS Human Resources and Professional Development perspective, the conference is an opportunity to foster interest in the education field as an effort to “grow our own.” This past year alone, HCPSS hired 96 graduates as teachers.

HCPSS Recruitment Specialist Rosemarie Suszkiw explains: “Our students and alumni are invested here and know the worth of a Howard County education, so we encourage them to come home and give back to their communities, whether that’s through teaching or another role.”