How to Start and Develop a Grow-Your-Own Program:
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Get Started

Who is teaching and leading the Educators Rising experience?

Teacher leaders are selected from the schools that are implementing the program and are best selected from people who already are passionate about developing future teachers.

How are other states implementing similar steps to address the gap by recruiting high school students to become teachers?

Most districts that are committed to the program have funds set in their budgets that can be brought together to pay for the curriculum. Some are in states that have either set aside funds or special funds for the program. Title money can be used, and most importantly, Perkins and other CTE dollars can be used in states where Educators Rising is recognized as a CTSO. But many passionate educators make this happen on the ground level at their school without these funds. The grassroots approach supported by Educators Rising allows schools to connect with local institutes of higher education, philanthropists in their community, and the supporters at the state level. Many schools simply pay for the curriculum because the cost is well within the threshold of what school boards will allow.

We have signed affiliate agreements with 42 states already, so chances are if you want to establish an Educators Rising chapter in your school, there is already state-level support in place.

Q/A on Educators Rising in Connecticut

Educators Rising Curriculum

What is the design of the curriculum and what is included?

The curriculum is based on the Educators Rising standards developed with the aid of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (an INTASC aligned set of standards) and the backing of the NEA and AFT. It includes nearly 60 lesson topics to date organized into five domains: You, Your Students, Your Classroom, Your Community, Your Profession. These lessons can be taught as standalone modules or as a series with allowances for one-day, three-day, and five-day approaches to each lesson topic. The one-day lesson plans have accompanying PowerPoint decks to support your distance-based learning needs. Additional supports Included with the Curriculum program are resources for clinical experiences, training for teacher leaders, and access to a national network. Those using the curriculum either implement it as a stand-alone program or as a supplement to an existing program.

As an add-on, you can also purchase the Educators Rising Beginning to Teach micro-credentials or digital badges, which are performance-based assessments that allow rising educators to showcase their growing skills.

What is the cost of the curriculum?  Is it yearly or a one-time purchase?

The value for the curriculum and associated resources is $14,000 per school, which includes membership for two staff members and 20 students. Our Board has allowed us to subsidize the cost for a limited pool for a limited period. This is an annual subscription, and we apply discounts for multi-year purchases. This model allows us to continual development of the curriculum and resources. For instance, for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, we are launching updates to the Curriculum, Lesson Assessments, and our micro-credentials.

How is the Educators Rising program different from others?

Please refer to the chart on our Curriculum page for a comparison of our program with others.

CTSO & CTE Activities

Is there a recommended grade level for involvement?

We have traditionally run the Educators Rising program in the sophomore through senior years of high school, but it can be offered from middle school to senior year. The more exposure you can offer, the higher the retention you might find.

Can it be an extra-curricular organization or is it set up as a course offering?

Educators Rising can be either an extra-curricular program or a course offering through the Curriculum (or both).

How are rising educators supported as they study the profession through high school and college and then as they enter the classroom as teachers?

Through the Curriculum program, rising educators are introduced to the teaching profession through lessons that promote discussion and reflection, as well as clinical experiences in which they observe practices and try new skills, all with the support of their teacher leaders, cooperating teachers, and peers. Additionally, as Educators Rising members, middle and high school students have opportunities to take on leadership roles, display their skills in competitions, attend state and national conferences, join our honor society, and access a network of educators.

As rising educators enter college, their support continues with Educators Rising Collegiate. Through their collegiate chapter, rising educators continue to engage with future and current educators while having access to professional development, job search and interview resources, scholarship opportunities, and the Kappan magazine. Collegiate members can also continue to participate in the national conference, volunteer and judge at state and national competitions, be part of the Educators Rising Ambassador Program, and join the Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society.

Dual Credit Opportunities

How can high school students earn academic credits at the college level? Is this considered dual credit, and do students have to pay tuition for this credit?

Educators Rising and PDK have many higher education partners that are committed to this work; however, this is part of the community that needs to be developed further. Ideally, students can receive dual credit from their school and a nearby institute of higher education. We are continually looking for university and collegiate partners to support the work, offer dual credit, and recognize students coming from Educators Rising as a higher caliber of candidate for their teacher education program.

High school students typically do not pay tuition. Their school or district purchases the curriculum for their use. However, there is a $15 registration fee per student for active level Educators Rising membership.

Educators Rising Membership

Is there a minimum number of participants to start a chapter?

There is not a minimum number of students to start a chapter beyond one student and one teacher leader for middle and high school, and two students and an adviser for collegiate.

How do I register or renew my chapter?

Educators Rising administrators, teacher leaders, and students can log in or sign up by visiting our join page and complete the application corresponding to their membership level (Middle and High or Collegiate). After your application is approved, you can explore all your chapter resources on your account. Please note that active-level students will not have access to their chapter resources until their dues payment has been processed.

Is there a free/base student membership option?

The only level of student membership available is our active-level membership for a $15 registration fee per student. Active-level membership is necessary for students to become official members of Educators Rising, compete at the state/regional or national level, attend our national conference, apply for Educators Rising scholarships, join our Educators Rising Honor Society, or take part in local and national leadership opportunities.

After you review those questions and watch our videos, we are happy to answer any questions you may have.