[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E165-E166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA INTERNATIONAL'S 
                            EDUCATORS RISING

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2025

  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the 10th anniversary of 
Educators Rising, a nationwide movement dedicated to eliminating the 
teacher shortage in America by recruiting, preparing, and inspiring the 
next generation of educators.
  Educators Rising is a community-based, Career and Technical Student 
Organization that supports middle and high school students in rural, 
urban, and suburban communities with a passion for teaching in their 
communities.
  With over 60 percent of K-12 educators in the United States teaching 
within 20 miles of the high school they attended, creating pathways for 
local talent to enter the teaching profession plays a critical role in 
addressing our Nation's shortage of teachers.
  As part of their Grow Your Own initiative, Educators Rising helps 
create diverse teaching workforces that reflect communities where 
students live. Teachers who share similar backgrounds and experiences 
with their students foster stronger student-teacher relationships, 
improved academic outcomes including higher test scores, rates of high 
school graduation and college enrollment, more inclusive school 
climates, fewer suspensions, and lower rates of chronic absenteeism.
  Educators Rising has a presence in all 50 states and the District of 
Columbia, with over 1,400 school chapters and 38 state-level 
partnerships, and works with institutions of higher education and State 
Departments of Education to create seamless transitions into the 
education field.
  Over 70 schools across Virginia have Educators Rising Chapters that 
are contributing to ending the teacher shortage in America. Since 1994, 
over 325,000 students have participated in Educators Rising, including 
nearly 145,600 students since its rebranding in 2015.

[[Page E166]]

  Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International was established in 1906 as a non-
profit organization that supports teachers and school leaders by 
strengthening their interest in the teaching profession throughout 
their careers. PDK International awards nearly 100 scholarships 
annually ranging from $500 to $5,000 to students pursuing careers in 
education through Educators Rising and other PDK International 
programs.
  On behalf of Virginia's 8th Congressional district, I commend 
Educators Rising's work and express my gratitude for their efforts in 
recruiting local and diverse talent and building career pathways for 
educators.

                          ____________________