Six students were selected by Educators Rising Kentucky to serve as state officers for the 2025–2026 school year. The tenure of this leadership group will start on July 1.
Among the student state officers are:
Hunter Carr of Graves County High School (Region 1) is the president.
Lily Russell, Ignite Institute (Region 6) is the incoming president.
Alyssa Pollard, Director of Membership, Ballard High School (Region 3)
Haley Chowning, co-director of communications at Seneca High School (Region 3)
Kelly Esquivel Hernandez, Central High Magnet Career Academy (Region 3) co-director of communications
Nia Serikali, Central High Magnet Career Academy’s (Region 3) Outreach and Service Director
The career and technical student organization (CTSO) for middle and high school students interested in professions in education is called Educators Rising Kentucky, formerly known as Future Educators of America. Phi Delta Kappa (PDK), a professional organization that helps educators and school administrators by bolstering their interest in the field throughout their career arc, is partnered with Educators Rising Kentucky, a state member of the national organization.
Inspiring and developing present and future educators to become community leaders and champions for high-quality education is the goal of Educators Rising. The goal is to rethink educator routes in order to eradicate the teacher shortage. PDK International, which integrates the following five fundamental principles into its work—community, leadership, service, optimism, and excellence—shares the mission and vision.
For young people who wish to become highly qualified educators and serve their communities, Educators Rising aims to establish a clear path in each school system.
Students participate in performance-based competitions, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and initiatives that support teachers through this nationwide network, which helps them develop connections and resources that can have a big impact on educational prospects.
In addition to meeting with state lawmakers to discuss the needs of aspiring teachers, these student leaders will be involved in the organization and conduct of the state conference. They will also represent Educators Rising Kentucky at the national conference in June 2026 and at regional gatherings across the Commonwealth.
Department of Education in Kentucky