This year, The oehowl is starting something new. Each month, we’ll spotlight a different club at East to showcase the variety organizations students can get involved in. Octobers “Club of the Month” is Educators Rising.

Educators Rising, also known as EdRising, is a club for students who are interested in education and want to gain experience in the field.

Junior Lilly Binkowski, one of the club’s three presidents alongside seniors Amelia and Gabby, shares what goes into keeping the club organized. 

“We work with the sponsors a lot to try to keep everything organized, and we plan a lot of future stuff to get everything lined up for everybody. So basically, just trying to keep everything organized for everybody,” Binkowski said.

Beyond planning and structure, the club also gives members the opportunity to work with children.

“For people that want to work with kids, it definitely prepares you for the patience and exposure in any aspect,” Binkowski said.

But Educators Rising isn’t all work, in this club you get to participate in events, discussions, and celebrations. Binkowski said her favorite memory comes from the club’s annual holiday celebration that happens at the end of the first semester.

“My favorite part is probably our Christmas party we do at the end of each first semester. We all get together, we get snacks, we watch Christmas movies, and we just talk about the overall summary of the semester. It’s always fun to hang out with your friends and just see how good of a semester we had,” Binkowski said.

Junior Sienna Crissey is also a board member of ed rising, for her, her decision to join Educators Rising was influenced by her interest in becoming a teacher in the future.

 “I wanted to join EdRising because being a teacher has always been an option for a career for me, I figured joining would help me make up my mind,” Crissey said.

Crissey explains that the most rewarding part of EdRising is connecting with younger students. 

“My favorite part about being in the club is going to visit the schools and being able to make those connections with the kids that are so special and heartwarming,” Crissey said. 

One experience she’ll never forget was a trip to Wheatland’s Elementary on St. Patrick’s Day.

“I got to read a book to the kindergartners. The book said the word underwear and when I said it, they all started giggling and it was so cute. Then after that we did a craft and it was so fun walking around and helping them and making connections with those kids,” Crissey said. 

Crissey also encouraged other students to get involved.

“I think other students should join because it is such a fun experience. Helping and making connections not only makes us feel good but also can help us decide if this is what we want our future to be,” Crissey said. 

Educators Rising may be one of East’s smaller clubs, but its impact on future teachers is very large. Educators rising meets every other tuesday. If students have questions, they can contact the club sponsor, Nancy Wyatt @nwyatt@sd308.org for more information.

Written by junior Michelle Wannah. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.