News & Events

FOURTEEN ALASKA STUDENTS PLACED AT 2021 NATIONALS

This years' National Conference was held virtually, June 24th-27th. Hundreds of students competed from across the nation. Alaska had 22 competitors, 14 of which placed in the top ten.

Amid the stiff competition, Alaska students stood out:

1st place Inside Our Schools: Aryana Ivanoff and Mary Arca (Unalakleet)
2nd place Children's Literature K-3: Sophia Dick (Palmer)
4th place Creative Lecture: Caprice Damon (Wasilla)
2nd place Lesson Planning Humanities: Connor Weaver (Palmer)
1st place Lesson Planning Humanities: Ashley Dahlman (Connections)
3rd place Lesson Planning STEM JV: Torrey McClain (Palmer)
3rd place Lesson Planning STEM Varsity: Kaitlynn Gist (Kenai)
2nd place Public Speaking: Donnie Arnone (Wasilla)

Top 10 semifinalists Children's Literature k-3 (the most popular, competitive event at nationals):

Jemima Verebasaga (Raven)
Lillian Nichols (Palmer)
Sophia Micchiche (Soldotna)

Top 10 semifinalist Lesson Planning Humanities:

Payton Gandee (Shaktoolik)

Top 10 semifinalist Lesson Planning STEM Varsity

Elijah Atkins (Kotzebue)

Also, one of our EdRising Teachers, Christel Mozalevskiy, Wasilla, was awarded the Erin Young Student Voice Empowerment Award, which recognizes an adult in the Educators Rising network who demonstrates an exceptional ability to empower students and elevate their voices.

Erin Young, after whom this award was created, was the founding Chief Content Strategist of Educators Rising, and she passed away in 2015. Her legacy of helping young people discover their voices and share their passion for teaching lives on.

This year's competitions and conference were both held virtually this year.
February 24th - 26th and February 28 - March 1st, respectively.

The theme was 'Rising Above Adversity’.
EdRising Alaska 2020-21 State Officers developed the theme and logo for this years' conference.

Look through the Photo Gallery below and capture some of the excitement, creativity and enjoyment our participants were able to have at our virtual conference.

2021 Alaska State Conference — Virtual

March 2021 State Conference Photos & Events


Ashley Dahlman, Student Officer 2020-21	Kaitylynn Gist, Student Officer 2020-21	Carl Vent, Student Officer 2018-19, 2020-21	Barbara Wadlinger, Educators Rising Program Mangager.

Barbara, Sean, Ashley, Putt and Glenda.	Teacher Christel Mozalevskiy and class.	EdRising Staff in hallway.	Doreen Hayward Zooming in from her house.

Coral and Chloe, Alaska Photobooth Company wizards.	Doreen Hayward with her husband, Les and muskox.	Christel Mozalevskiy student.	Christel Mozalevskiy's XtraTuf's.

Teacher Giaana Peterson and students in Unalakleet.	Christel Mozalevskiy and students play cards in the down-time.	Mozalevskiy's class, in feet.	Emanuela Pokryfki, Kenai Teacher Leader, poses with her favorite pet.

Unalakleet student gives the peace sign.	Eskimo Ninja, Nick Hanson takes a pic after his presentation.	Mozalevskiy student takes a breather.	Mozalevskiy classroom.

Mozalevskiy and students in their hoodies.	Mozalevskiy and students in their school.	Patty Woody student strikes a condiment pose!	Mozalevskiy's class.

Emanuela Pokryfki and EdRising bear.	Susan Brunner group selfie in a classroom.	One student and her dog pose for the photobooth.	Patty Woody student attending from her home.

Twins pose for the photo booth.	Carla Swick's students ham it up.	Ice cream in Ms. Swick's class.	Ms. Mozalevskiy student sports his EdRising sweatshirt.

Mozalevskiy student poses with a boot.	Mozalevskiy student behind her computer.	Mozalevskiy student checks the microwave.	Unalakleet student in school library.

Carla Swick and students.	Unalakleet student gives the thumbs up.	Unalakleet advisor Giaana Peterson gives the thumbs up.	Swick student shares a heart.

Mozilevskiy student gives the thumbs up.	Mozilevskiy students know how to advertise!	Mozilevskiy student and her EdRising billboard.	Mozilevskiy student and EdRising closeup.

Ms. Swick's student shows extra peace!	Mozilevskiy student's feet photo-op!	Mozilevskiy's class organized the EdRising snacks.	Mozilevskiy students work the camera.

Mozilevskiy students action photo.	Mozilevskiy students vouch for EdRising!	Mozilevskiy student and cannibal card.	Unalakleet students, a map, and a pen!

Unalakleet student strikes a quiet pose.	Unalakleet student in front of a map of Alaska.	Unalakleet students, a map, and peace signs!	Mozilevskiy student shows her flower in a root beer.

Student finds using flouride to be great for teeth!	Mozilevskiy student created a "booth-within-a-booth".	A rare sight: a smile without a mask.	Mozilevskiy students help us through the dance moves.

Teacher Leader Jonah Tandog (front left) with her Teller students.	Teacher Leader Giaana Peterson, Unalakleet.	Teacher Leader Carla Swick (middle) with her students.	Carla Swick and her students.

Mozilevskiy student takes a break in the down-time.	Unalakleet students!	Teller Teacher Leader Jonah Tandog (right), with student.	Teller student leans in to anonymity.

Teller students know how to pose for a pic!	Student and honorary EdRising student, pet rat.

2020 State Conference — UAF

The 2020 State Leadership Conference was held on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.



Speakers and students gather for a group photo at the end of the Opening Banquet for the 2020 State Leadership Conference. Photo: Vincent Mahoney.	Amanda Friendshuh, UAS student in the school of education and previous Educators Rising Alaska President, speaks to participating students. Photo: JR Ancheta.
Bernard Aoto, a Student Ambassador at UAF, leads EdRising students on a campus tour. Photo: JR Ancheta.
Previous years' Student Officers and Program Manager, Barb Wadlinger, host the recruiting table. Photo: Vincent Mahoney.	EdRising Alaska Student Officer Ashley Yoder, left, and her fellow Ketchikan companions at the Conference. Photo: JR Ancheta.
The Nannook is surrounded by members from Houston JR/SR High and their advisor. Photo: JR Ancheta.	Amy Gallaway, a West Valley H.S. teacher and AK Teacher of the Year delivers her keynote address to the conference attendees. Photo: Vincent Mahoney.
The audience is in rapt attention listening to the speakers at the opening banquet. Photo: Vincent Mahoney.	Vice-Chanchellor of Student Affairs & Athletics, Keith Champagne, delivers a dynamic speach to the students. Photo: Vincent Mahoney.
The Pavva Iñupiaq Dancers presented at the end of the Opening Banquet, leading the audience in a group dance, Photo: Vincent Mahoney.	Anupma Prakash, Provost for UAF, is surrounded by EdRising students. Photo: Vincent Mahoney

2019 Alaska State Conference — UAS

The 2019 Alaska State Conference for Educators Rising Alaska was held in Juneau, on the University of Alaska Southeast campus.


UAS Chancellor Richard Caulfield leads the opening speeches to the audience of students, advisers and staff.Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.	Ronalda Cadiente-Brown is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Alaska Native Programs and Director of PITAAS, and she spoke as well. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.
Joe Reddington High School students and their advisers pose at the Opening. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.	Recognition of the different Educators Rising Chapters at the Opening. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.
Staff, Professors, Teachers and Leaders joined the Woosh.ji.een Dancers. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.	Students, Staff, Teacher Leaders, Chaperones and Mentors mingle with Legislators and education advocates. Photo: Putt Clark.
Students gather for a group photo. Photo: Putt Clark, K-12 Outreach Staff.	Creative Lecture finishers Zephaniah Hailey, Rim Khayata, Caprice Damon, Karrie Montero. Not pictured: Dohyun Kim. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.
Lesson Planning ARTS finishers Lexis Jasek, Grace Straughn, Connor Koppes, Molly Penn and JesCynthia David. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.	The winners who tuned in remotely were shown their certificates via livestream, pictured is 1st place winner for Public Speaking, Joseph Gallahorn. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.
Public Speaking finishers Matthew Young, LouAnn Niksik and Merceds Otten (Anna Joseph is in the next photo). Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.	Ronalda Cadiente-Brown and Marilyn White (ASMP Mentor) discuss education at the Showcase. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito
Representative Grier Hopkins attended the event, shown here with one of the EdRising participants and her mother. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.	University President Johnsen addressed the audience remotely. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.
Representative Bart LeBon attended the event, posing here with K-12 Outreach Research Specialist Keiko Herrick and ASMP Mentor Marilyn White. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.	The Palmer High chapter poses with awards, adviser and chaperones. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.
Toni McFadden, Program Manager for ATP, speaks with Richard Catahay, Kake Superintendent. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.	K-12 Outreach provided hors d'oeuvres and beverages for the public. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.
Students in a hallway of the Capitol building. Photo: Putt Clark.	Students were also addressed by Weston Eiler, UA Governement Relations Coordinator, about how to relate with Legislators. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.
Winners of the Lesson Planning STEM competition. Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.	Willie Hensley was one of the guest speakers following the students' award ceremony. Photo: Putt Clark.

2019 National Conference

Anna Joseph and Caprice Damon won 6th and 9th overall, respectively, in each of their competitions.	Group photo of students and advisers at the 2019 conference. Not pictured: Molly Penn (Huslia) and Hailee Godfrey (Palmer).
Finalist Anna Joseph stands with K-12 Outreach Director Glenda Findlay, AK EdRising Coach Kari Rasmussen, AK EdRising Staff Mary Jo Skaggs and AK EdRising Project Manager Barbara Wadlinger.	Edrising Staff Mary Jo Skaggs and Barbara Wadlinger attended a professional development course in writing with the Kappan Magazine editor Dr. Rafael Heller.
Mary Jo Skaggs and Barbara Wadlinger and other project leaders attended professional development with Dr. Albert Chen, COO of PDK International.	Ketchikan students Alyssa Howard, Jhasen Seludo and Ellie Carter in Dallas. Photo: Ellie Carter.
Northwest Arctic Borough School District student Justin Kim, Teacher Leader Clayton Gindt and student Joseph Gallahorn at the conference.	St. Michael group: Teacher Leader Alexis Greene, students Mercedes Otten, LouAnn Nikiski and chaperone Zepaniah Hailey.

2018-19 Officer Training Anchorage

Officers, left to right: Yareth Santana, Alyssa Howard, Matthew Young and Carl Moses-Vent. Photo: Putt Clark.	Officers in training included a video conference with the Educators Rising President. Photo: Putt Clark.
Officers, left to right: Yareth Santana, Alyssa Howard, Matthew Young and Carl Moses-Vent. Photo: Putt Clark.	Officers, Advisers and Staff went bowling to get to know one another. Photo: Putt Clark.

2018 State Conference

Edrising Robosts

Students participate in the School of Education's Robots
for Autistics workshop. Photo: K-12 Staff.

Edrising 2018 conference group

Students, Advisers and staff pose for a group photo
outside the Wood Center. Photo: Yuri Bult-ito.

anne_armstrong

Education & Training professor Anne Armstrong works
with a student on the Mock Interview session.
Photo: Don Peterson.

i RAHI

Students participate in a session led by Rural Student Services.
Photo: Yuri Bult-Ito.

Dancers

Pavva Iñupiaq Dancers performed at the final evening event.

2017-18 Officers and Nationals

2017-18 Officers pose for a photo in the setting Florida sun .
Photo: K-12 Staff.

Educators Rising National Conference 2018 Group photo of
Alaskan attendees. Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.

Students from Kotlik with their advisor, represent Alaska at the
National Conference by competing in “Inside Our Schools”.
Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.

2016-17 State & CTSO Conference and Nationals

Barbaras cubicle

Program manager Barbara Wadlinger's office prior
to the CTSO Conference and FEA Symposium.
Photo by K-12 Staff.

Students discuss careers

FEA/CTSO participants discuss future careers. Photo by K-12 Staff.

students listen

Students listen to presenters at the conference. Photo by K-12 Staff.

colleen angaiak

Participants listen to Colleen Angaiak, Rural Student Services
Advisor. Photo by K-12 Staff.

students presenting

Students who presented line up on stage for the
announcement of the winners. Photo by K-12 Staff.

2017 group photo

Teachers, advisors, students and FEA Staff gather for a photo
in the Anchorage Embassy Suites Lobby. Photo by K-12 Staff.

2016017 group
Nationals participants and officers gather beneath the sign outside the conference.

Kari competes
Kari Montero, one of the Student Officers for 2017-18 competes before a judge at Nationals.

2017 Nationals Alaska's participants sit with their advisors and then K-12 Outreach Director, Steve Atwater at the National Conference.