Our thanks go out to Dr. Michael Hill-Shaner, SRC from Delaware and Florence Scott, SRC from Alaska, for joining us in a panel discussion about how to prepare to bring students to the Educators Rising National Conference.
Highlights from Our National Conference Preparation Webinar
Preparing students for a national conference experience takes more than booking flights and packing bags. In this recent webinar, Educators Rising staff members Dr. John Hendron, Robyn Mintier, and Regina Roberts were joined by experienced state coordinators Dr. Michael Hill-Shaner (Delaware) and Florence Scott (Alaska) to share practical advice for teacher leaders preparing for the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference in Portland.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the conversation:
Communication is everything
Both panelists emphasized that successful conference experiences begin long before students arrive onsite. Frequent communication with students, parents, school administrators, and chaperones helps prevent confusion and build confidence.
Some recommended strategies included:
- Hosting mandatory pre-conference meetings
- Sharing detailed itineraries and packing lists
- Reviewing emergency procedures ahead of time
- Providing both digital and printed copies of travel documents and emergency contacts
As Florence Scott noted, transparency and repetition matter: “You can never communicate enough.”
Prepare students for professionalism
Dress code discussions were a major focus of the webinar. Panelists encouraged teacher leaders to frame conference attire around professionalism rather than strict rules.
One guideline shared:
“If it’s something a teacher would wear in the classroom, it’s probably appropriate for the conference.”
The presenters also stressed the importance of honoring cultural identity and regional differences while helping students understand expectations for competitions, ceremonies, and professional networking environments.
Don’t underestimate travel logistics
The group shared several hard-earned lessons about traveling with student delegations:
- Verify IDs and travel documents well before departure
- Check luggage carefully before heading to the airport
- Keep medication information organized and accessible
- Assign adults throughout the group during travel (“front, middle, and back” supervision)
Dr. Hill-Shaner recommended creating checklists for every student before departure to confirm essentials like medications, IDs, and luggage readiness.
Always have backup plans
Florence Scott shared stories of Alaska students facing major travel delays due to weather and wildfire disruptions — including one group that arrived just hours before competition deadlines. The experience reinforced the need for flexibility, contingency planning, and strong communication with conference staff.
Key advice included:
- Plan for delays and unexpected overnight stays
- Clarify who handles emergency expenses
- Keep district contacts informed throughout travel
- Stay calm and solution-focused when plans change
The conference experience matters
Throughout the webinar, presenters repeatedly emphasized that national conference participation can be transformational for students. Beyond competitions, the experience helps students build confidence, professionalism, leadership skills, and a stronger sense of belonging in the education profession.
