San Angelo ISD Students on Pathway to Become Future Educators Awarded Scholarships at 5th Annual Rise and Teach Conference

More than 200 high school students from across Education Region XV attended the 5th Annual Rise and Teach Conference, a conference geared to supporting the next great Texas educators. Seven San Angelo ISD students on the pathway to become future educators received individual $500 scholarships. 

The following San Angelo ISD students each received a $500 scholarship funded by H-E-B:

• Alexis Bridges – Central High School
• Aliyah Favela – Lake View High School
• Gabrielle Alvarado – Central High School
• Laura Gonzalez – Central High School
• Alexis Long – Central High School 
• Maya Rodriguez – Lake View High School
• Makenzie Yarbrough – Central High School

Thirty-three future teachers and coaches from Central High School and 30 from Lake View High School attended the Rise and Teach Conference, which took place Thursday, January 25, at Angelo State University. The conference connected attendees with resources that support their transition from high school to higher education such as the Region XV Education Service Center, educators, ASU, Howard College and other resources available in their local community. Other conference highlights included a presentation from keynote speaker Aric Bostick, a tour of ASU, a professional development track available for sponsors and advisors, door prizes and breakout sessions.

Breakout sessions aligned in pathways according to the student’s grade and included:

• 10th Grade Track: AWARENESS – Students learned information that will guide them as they navigate through the last two years of high school and begin their undergraduate journey
• 11th Grade Track: EXPLORATION – Students learned about admissions, scholarships and more on their path to teacher certification
• 12th Grade Track: ENGAGEMENT – Students visited the Education Department classrooms at ASU and and heard about what they may learn on their path to teacher certification as undergraduate students
• Educator Track - Presented by Aric Bostick: The Power of Showing Up - An Attachment-informed Approach to Education

“I enjoyed the overall experience of the conference and I think it helped me feel more closely connected to teaching,” said Central High School sophomore Abigail Johnson. “The conference was very helpful for getting me excited and enthusiastic about going into teaching. Listening to Aric’s story really helped to strengthen my reasoning for wanting to become a teacher.” 

San Angelo ISD extends its sincere appreciation to the event organizers, Region XV Education Service Center, Angelo State University, Howard College, H-E-B and other Rise & Teach Conference sponsors. We appreciate your support of the next great Texas educators and their hopes and dreams. SAISD would also like to thank Rene Maldonado for providing photographs of our scholarship recipients.    

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