LPS students collect classroom knowledge at national education conference

Lincoln Public Schools students discovered their potential for becoming excellent educators this summer during a trip to the nation’s capital.
 
Five students from The Career Academy joined hundreds of other future teachers at the 2024 Educators Rising National Conference. Lyric Gans, Jorden Blake-Oxley, Sophia Luzum, Milana Johnson and Jacey Ryan represented TCA in Washington, D.C. They are members of TCA’s chapter of the Educators Rising organization.
 
Ryan and Blake-Oxley felt the trip gave them a valuable perspective on their future classroom careers. They said the conference’s theme – “Discovering Your Potential” – was a good description of what happened there.
 
“From the national conference I learned that hard work is the most important thing, not the award or outcome,” Ryan said. “I got an amazing learning experience out of my competition even if I didn’t get top ten, and I would do it all again. I also learned how important it is to connect with others. During a breakout room we talked with different students from all over.”
 
“I learned about the experience of an educator,” Blake-Oxley said. “I learned what it means to be passionate in what you do. I heard stories about how teachers can impact a student’s life.”
 
Ryan said she gained a great deal from watching other teams compete at the conference. She joined Gans and Blake-Oxley in the researching learning challenges contest. Students from Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi, Kansas, Utah, Ohio, Virginia and Connecticut won awards in the category.
 
“I enjoyed learning from other people and hearing their views, considering we are not only from different schools but also different states,” Ryan said.
 
Luzum and Johnson took part in the children’s literature K-3 contest at nationals. Students from Illinois, Ohio, Alaska, Missouri, Virginia, Texas and Kentucky finished in the top ten.
 
Jame Cartwright works with dozens of future educators each year as TCA’s chapter advisor. She provides information about many school-based careers. Students explore topics like effective classroom management, personal development, student-centered teaching strategies, community engagement and professional growth through group and individual activities.
 
Nebraska members traveled to the Wayne State College, University of Nebraska-Omaha and University of Nebraska-Kearney campuses this past school year for networking opportunities. They also took part in statewide competitive events and traveled to leadership seminars and career fairs.
 
Ryan and Blake-Oxley said they have been encouraged by their Educators Rising experiences. The organization’s goal is to build a pipeline of teachers who will become classroom leaders across Nebraska.
 
“The part I like most about Educators Rising is the opportunity to learn the things teachers do each day,” Ryan said. “If I did a lesson plan and delivery, I would get insight into how a teacher puts together what they are working on. With what I did – research learning challenges – I enjoyed being able to learn about new things that may affect future students of mine so I am better at helping them.”
 
“I get to learn from people who either have been or aspire to be in the field of education,” Blake-Oxley said. “In addition, I get to meet tons of people who share an interest in education. I also just get to have fun with friends while working towards my future goals.”
 
Competitive events are one way students like Ryan and Blake-Oxley can gain firsthand knowledge about the teaching world. Educators Rising offers 28 categories for them to choose from each year.
 
TCA students qualified for nationals after doing well in their state-level events this spring. Juniors and seniors competed in varsity contests and freshmen and sophomores took part in junior varsity action.
 
Students had many other opportunities to learn at the conference. Professional educators led more than 40 breakout sessions that focused on topics like leadership, classroom management and service beyond the classroom.
 
Attendees also heard from several distinguished keynote speakers. Rebecka Peterson, the 2023 National Teacher of the Year from Tulsa, Okla., and Amy Loyd, who serves as assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, both offered their insights about the profession.
 
Ryan and Blake-Oxley both said their top goal as a teacher is to ensure their students can flourish academically, socially and emotionally. They felt the national conference had developed their potential for leading future generations.
 
“Something that is important to me is that students in my class can trust me,” Ryan said. “I want them to come in and look forward to learning each day. Students deserve a place where they can express their opinions creatively while also having discussions that help them grow and learn.”
 
“I want my classroom to be a safe space for everyone,” Blake-Oxley said. “I can’t wait to show my students appreciation for their hard work and watch them grow into individuals. Kids have the craziest ideas and I want to be the first to hear about them!”

LPS Educators Rising State Results

Interactive Bulletin Board – Elementary (Varsity): Emily Bender – Seventh Place (National Qualifier)
Children’s Literature Pre-K (Varsity): Caroline Buresh – Fourth Place
Children’s Literature K-3 (Varsity): Sophia Luzum, Milana Johnson (National Qualifiers)
Ethical Dilemma (Varsity): Ava Martinez, Brooklyn Michael, Makayla Peterson, Lance Stovall – Fourth Place
Inside Our Schools Presentation (Varsity): Caroline Buresh, Jacquelyn Douglas – First Place (National Qualifiers)
Inside Our Schools Presentation (Varsity): Emily Bender, Elliana Witt – Second Place (National Qualifiers)
Researching Learning Challenges (Varsity): Jorden Blake-Oxley, Lyric Gans, Jacey Ryan – Second Place (National Qualifiers)

The Career Academy is one of several focus programs at LPS giving students a customized high school experience rooted in connection and opportunities. Visit the LPS Focus Programs page on our website at https://home.lps.org/focus to explore programs like The Career Academy. 
 
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