UNM sophomore and Elementary Education major Izzy Reeves posed a crucial question at the recent 9th Annual Educators Rising State Conference in Albuquerque, asking, “So just how worried are you all about going to college?” The conference session, attended by approximately 50 future educators from high schools across New Mexico, saw a mix of nervous laughter and anticipation as the UNM Educators Rising club aimed to instill confidence in the attendees.
State Director of Educators Rising, Christine Reyes, highlighted the importance of the program in preparing students for the job market, stating, “Educators Rising is geared toward educational pathways, but is a program that teaches work and technical skills for the job market. I’m passionate about the Educators Rising program as it builds kids and leadership by practice theory.”
The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Todos Unidos NM- Leap into Education’, resonated with UNM’s Educators Rising club, which focused on helping students transition into college life. UNM sophomore Isaiah Zubia Soto shared his experience of adjusting to a new environment, emphasizing the challenges of meeting new people after graduating with the same class for years.
During the conference, UNM students provided valuable advice on handling homesickness, managing college workload, and utilizing campus resources for self-care and stress management. The session also saw students seeking guidance on various topics, from dorm policies to making friends on campus.
Advocacy and peer support are fundamental aspects of the Educators Rising mission, as highlighted by Mariel León-Lazcano who stated, “The goal of the UNM chapter of Educators Rising is to build a community where we can all support each other and have a place.”
Looking ahead, UNM’s Educators Rising club aims to grow the teaching profession in New Mexico, establish connections with other Ed Rising chapters, and present nationally on topics like bilingual education and curriculum design. Club advisor Aaron Vogel mentioned the club's history and its recent resurgence at UNM, thanks to the efforts of students like Izzy Reeves, who championed for its reestablishment.
UNM’s Educators Rising club is actively seeking new members, with interested students encouraged to reach out to Izzy Reeves for more information.
