Educators Rising - Collegiate
There's Power in Teaching.
2026 Educators Rising State Conference
Acadiana Rising: Shaping the Future of Education
Save the Date: Friday, February 6th, 2026
What is Educators Rising?
Educators Rising is a national organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of highly skilled educators. It gives middle school, high school and college students opportunities to explore teaching as a career through hands-on learning experiences, leadership development and community partnerships.
At UL Lafayette, Educators Rising is part of our commitment to developing Louisiana’s teacher pipeline by empowering future educators to lead classrooms, strengthen schools and transform their communities.
What is a regional conference?
The Educators Rising Regional Conference is a one-day, on-campus event that brings together middle, high, and university students in educator preparation programs and education leaders from across the region. At the conference, students will participate in collaborative and engaging sessions seeking to explore innovative pedagogies.
Regional Conference Goals
● Connect and learn from each other
● Network with other members across a region
● Be inspired by presentations from educational leaders
Who can attend?
All middle through high school students who:
1) Attend a private, charter, or public high school,
2) live in Region 4, which includes the following parishes: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion,
3) those who may not have a regional conference opportunity in your home region, or
4) Anyone who wants to come and learn more!
This conference is designed for students interested in exploring teaching or education- related careers through hands-on sessions and campus experiences.
Day at a Glance
8:30-9:00 am: Check-in
9:00-9:15 am: Welcome
9:15-10:15 am: Session 1
10:15-11:15 am: Session 2
11:15-12:15 pm: Lunch
12:30-1:30 pm: Session 3
1:30-2:00 pm: Closing
Important Conference Information
● Location: UL Lafayette Union
● Parking information: TBD (Bus information will be emailed after registration)
● Campus Map
● Cost: $10/student (Maximum capacity for the event is 500 individuals so please register early)
Competition Sessions
The main goal of these sessions is for students to practice and receive feedback for state and national competitions. This is not an official competition and no awards will be given. You do not need to qualify at regional to compete at the state level. With our limited spots, please limit registration to one student/team per school per level (e.g., seventh/eighth, ninth/tenth, eleventh/twelfth). At the end of the day, schools will receive the rubrics the judges complete in addition to participation certificates.
Competition materials will be due on January 26th. If materials are not submitted by this time, individuals on the waitlist will be contacted.
The following practice sessions are:
● Children’s Literature (24 slots)
● Ed Rising Moment (32 slots)
● Interactive Bulletin Board Elementary (32 slots)
● Interactive Bulletin Board Middle/High School (32 slots)
● Teacher Created Materials (32 slots)
The Competition Registration link is a separate link that will open on December 8th at 3:30 pm to accommodate teachers and their schedules.
How to register?
About the College of Education and Human Development
In the UL Lafayette College of Education & Human Development, we are proud to be a global leader in educational change through our outreach, collaboration, and innovation. Through our academic programs, our students develop the skills, knowledge, and reason to go out and change the world.
Our dedicated faculty and staff are at the top of their fields, training both teaching and non-teaching professionals for careers in education as certified teachers, guidance counselors, and more — or for careers in kinesiology fields physical therapy, athletic training, coaching, cardiac rehabilitation, sport management, and occupational therapy.
Our coursework is designed specifically so you will have the knowledge you need to build your skill set — and to apply those skills in classrooms and clinics. Those skills come from field experiences, clinical rotations, internships, and the teacher residency, which lead to exceptional professional career opportunities. We are proud that our students successfully secure jobs from schools or settings as they complete their internship or teacher residency each semester.
We are confident that our undergraduate, masters, doctoral, and online programs will fit your ambitions. If you already have your undergraduate degree, you can go through the certification-only program and get into the classroom sooner.
Questions: Please email edrising@louisiana.edu
UL Lafayette Educators Rising Collegiate Club
Join the UL Lafayette Educators Rising Collegiate Club.
Contact Us
Please email educatorsrising@louisiana.edu if you have questions or need assistance.
Follow Us on Social Media
Instagram: ul.edrising
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