Educators’ Rising mission is to cultivate a new generation of highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path from high school through college and into their teaching careers. The career technical student organization’s mission is to inspire and grow current and rising educators to become community leaders and advocates for high quality education. This is accomplished through high school chapters and courses, along with being involved in conferences and competitions.
The Pendleton County High School chapter provides opportunities for students to experience elementary classrooms while still in high school, but also to compete in career focused competitions. The path to the 2025 National Conference started back in March when members attended the West Virginia State Conference at Canaan Valley Resort State Park.
Six members of the local chapter, Callie Dunn, Sam Eason, Larissa Greathouse, Lydia Heavner, Paigelyn Long, and Vivian Pownell, participated in the event this year. During the conference, members were able to network with Educators Rising members from across the state and enjoy educational sessions, including Seth Skiles, West Virginia Teacher of the Year.
Members attending the spring conference can participate in competitive events, trying to earn a trip to the national conference to compete. Competing were Eason in the job interview contest, Greathouse and Long in the interactive bulletin board, Heavner in the exploring supporting services careers and Pownell in the children’s literature kindergarten through third grade.
Heavner placed third in the exploring supporting service careers which focused on reading/math interventionist with Eason placing second in the job interview. Pownell earned first place in the children’s literature kindergarten through third grade category with her book, “The Calico Dragon’s Tale,” which she wrote and illustrated.
Pownell attended the 2025 National Educators Rising Conference in June at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida, to represent the state and Pendleton County. She was one of 3,800 attendees and competed against 80 fellow members, earning seventh in the nation.
If one is interested in learning more about the Pendleton County High School Educators Rising Program, contact Janice Heavner, adviser, at ja************@****wv.us.
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“The Calico Dragon’s Tale,” a book written and illustrated by Vivian Pownell, won her seventh place at the National Educators Rising Conference.
