Educators rising: RHS celebrates seniors committed to pursuing teaching careers

The Rhinelander High School Educators Rising club recently announced its participation in the national signing day event supported  by Educators Rising, a community-based movement from PDK International dedicated to cultivating the next generation of teachers.

According to a school district press release, the event celebrates seniors who have made a commitment to pursue degrees in education, marking an important milestone in their journey towards becoming educators.

 “Educators Rising provides a vital framework for schools like Rhinelander High School to nurture and support aspiring teachers through school chapters, curriculum, and a national conference and competition event,” the release states. “Through its partnership with schools, Educators Rising offers a clear pathway to increase teacher diversity and quality within the communities using the program when students come back to teach in their home district.”

 At the event, the following students announced their commitment to post-secondary education with an intent to major in education and to attain a credential to teach.

• Brianna Birginal, English Education

• Joey Breuer, History Education

• Cassie Burke, Spanish Education

• Daray Hawes, Music Education

• Ema Krueger, Elementary Education

• Margaret Lambert, Elementary Education

• Nick Lesch, History Education

• Alexia Robinson, Family & Consumer Science Education

• Samantha Sundby , Elementary Education

• Kyrle Vanney, Technology Education

• Neil Weigel, Math Education

Also, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week and those who inspired their future careers, each student  selected the School District of Rhinelander educators who made the most impact on them in their learning journey. These educators recorded messages of encouragement for each student and those were shared at the ceremony to honor each student.

The honorees were:

• Tyler Wiegman, RHS English Teacher

• Steven Jopek, RHS History Teacher

• Melissa Krueger, RHS Cross Country Coach

• Chloe Shepard, RHS/JWMS Choir Teacher

• Amy Jakubowski, RHS School Counselor

• Meghan Retallick, JWMS Instructional Coach

• Doug Nelson, HCLC Teacher

• Jake Kulba, RHS/JWMS Band Teacher

• Jesse Richter, Crescent 2nd Grade Teacher

• Megan Cihla, RHS Science Teacher

• Drake Biolo, RHS Math Teacher

• Taylor Kloehn, RHS Math Teacher

“We are incredibly proud of our seniors who have chosen to pursue degrees in education,” said Meghan Retallick, Educators Rising Club Advisor. “Their commitment to shaping the future through education is inspiring, and we are confident that they will make a positive impact in a future classroom. Many of these seniors have shared that their goal is to come back and teach in Rhinelander. It has been incredible to see their growth and commitment to learning about education before they even start their first day of education training in a post-secondary pathway. I know that these students will have a great impact on our field.”

Bri Birginal, one of the seniors recognized and a club member since the club started in her 10th grade year said, “I’ve been in Educators Rising for three years and it has been one of my favorite high school experiences. From the volunteer opportunities, learning lessons in education, and competing at the state summit, I have loved every minute of it. This club has not only solidified my decision to go into education, but has prepared me for all of my future endeavors in college and eventually my own classroom.”

Birginal was  recognized during the ceremony for earning 1st place in March at the state level competition for her submission and work in the Lesson Planning and Delivery-Humanities category. Each year, UW-Stevens Point hosts the Educators Rising State Summit and Competition where students hear from education speakers, attend breakouts, and have the option of competing in various education-related events.

 “We want to celebrate alongside Rhinelander High School the achievement in graduation, and also thank these students in advance for choosing a career path that will have a lasting impact within their community,” said Dr. James Lane, chief executive for PDK International.

 For more information, contact Meghan Retallick at 715-972-0952 or [email protected].