National Student Leadership

Elected by their peers or appointed by PDK International Chief Operating Officer Albert Chen, the national student leaders are external ambassadors and internal thought leaders who serve in an advisory capacity to the CEO and the Board of Directors. They engage in critical education conversations at the national level to provide a student perspective; serve as Educators Rising representatives at local, state, and national functions; and ensure that Educators Rising students have a voice in program development. These rising educators exemplify the finest qualities of our national network and of the future of the teaching profession. Make a request to have a student officer speak or make a recording for your Educators Rising event.

Applications to be a 2026-2027 Educators Rising National Officer are now closed. The 2027-2028 application year will open in early 2027.

2025-2026 National Student Officers

Haylie Johnson

As the Vice President of Engagement for Educators Rising, I have the privilege of creating meaningful experiences and opportunities for future educators nationwide. In this role, I work closely with our national officer team to design initiatives like EdRising Week and 12 Days of EdRising, develop resources for chapters, and promote student engagement throughout the year. With three years of experience in the organization–including serving previously as my state’s president and now as a conference planning committee member–I’m deeply committed to supporting members and building a strong, connected education community.

Faith Gonder

As the National Vice President of Service, I have been given the amazing opportunity to serve and advocate for the edrising community. I truly believe that serving others is one of the highest honors an educator gets, and through this position I am lucky enough to serve so many. I will work to deliver monthly service projects on a national level, create and make available resources, and work closely with my officer team and the pdk staff to support every edrising member. I am a senior at Perry High School in Massillon, Ohio and this is my second year in Educators Rising! I plan to become a dual-certified language arts and social studies high school teacher, and ultimately teach and coach speech and debate and give students the same empowerment that education gave me!

Ambassador Program

Educators Rising believes in the importance of student voice, and the Educators Rising Ambassador Program is another opportunity for star students to amplify their voices in critical national conversations about teaching and learning. Ambassadors contribute their opinions and experiences on social media and are leaders among their peers.

The Educators Rising Ambassador Program allows you to add leadership experience to your college applications or résumés, have your voice heard on a national level, and network virtually with other rising educators and teachers from across the country. Applications for the National Student Ambassador Program for 2026-2027 will open in August 2026. Interested? Learn more.

2025-2026 National Ambassadors

National Student Delegates

Students also have the opportunity to represent their state in additional leadership roles by serving as either a delegate or senator. These positions are designated by the state coordinator. The purpose of the voting delegates is to transact business items of the organization during the delegate meeting at the National Conference. Delegates vote on matters that pertain to the wellness of the organization and work to enhance the experiences of members. Each chartered State Affiliate with active members shall have one voting delegate, an additional voting delegate following the affiliation of the first 100 members, and one additional voting delegate following the affiliation of each 100 members, thereafter. The privilege of making motions, debating, and voting shall be limited to the designated voting delegates. The next delegate meeting will be at the 2025 Educators Rising National Conference.

National Student Senate

The National Senate shall consist of the State President of each chartered State Affiliate that will meet at least two times per year. They shall be responsible for reviewing any and all business to be brought before the voting delegates at the National Conference.

Educators Rising Rapid Response Survey Team

Do you want your voice heard on the most significant issues in education? Becoming a Rapid Response Survey team member is an incredible way to share your student voice. It’s easy! Sign up online, and we’ll text you when a new survey is ready. Each survey takes just a few minutes, but your responses can make a real impact on educational policy. As a reward, each team member gets a $5 discount code for the Educators Rising Store, valid for one month.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of something bigger. Let’s reach our goal of 500 participants together! Sign up using an online application form.