Nineteen Denton ISD Students Place in Top 5 at Educators Rising National Conference & Competition

Nineteen Denton ISD students from seven different campuses placed in the top five at the Educators Rising National Conference & Competition – a nationwide event consisting of middle school and high school students.

Students qualified for the national event by participating in the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) state competitions and contests. The top 10 from each category at the state level can advance to nationals.

Denton ISD had 33 students place in the top 10 at the state level and 23 qualified for nationals – the most of any school district in Texas.

“Our Teach Denton TAFE students have made us incredibly proud, representing Denton ISD with excellence at the Educators Rising National Conference in Washington, D.C.,” said Dr. Leah Zavala, Teach Denton Coordinator. “Our students’ success across multiple categories showcase their passion and talent for education. Their accomplishments reflect the bright future of education in our community.”

For students who entered in contests, state is the highest level. The difference between a competition and contest is students who enter in competitions are judged against their peers.

Students enter into contests and competitions by working on projects related to their events. These projects are then scored by a panel of judges. Categories range from goal setting to professional development and job interview.

TAFE is a co-curricular statewide non-profit (501-c3) student organization created to allow young men and women an opportunity to explore the teaching profession. The organization was created in 1984 to provide the best and brightest high school and middle school students in Texas with the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions about pursuing careers in education.

TAFE is sponsored by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals and is governed by a board of directors composed of teachers, students and principals.

Denton ISD students who placed in the top 5 nationally include:

Rodriguez Middle School
Preston Green – 2nd place in Public Speaking
Payton Rubel – 2nd place in Educators Rising Moment
Elyxa Boughn – 3rd place in Educators Rising Moment

Myers Middle School
Aubrey Stevens - 3rd place in Teach Created Materials
Addie Trammel & Isabella Snyder - 2nd place in Children’s Literature for K-3rd grade
Brooklyn Causey - 3rd place in Children’s Literature for Pre-K

Crownover Middle School
Chimdike Okere & Abigail Moore - 3rd place in Children’s Literature for K-3rd grade
Emilee Hurst & Ava Adair - 4th place in Children’s Literature for K-3rd grade
D’asia Fuqua-Smith - 1st place in Exploring Education Administration Careers
Addi Atkins - 1st place in Exploring Non-Core Teaching Careers

Ryan High School
Shelby Hartman - 3rd place in Children’s Literature for K-3rd grade
Guyer High School
Mia Allgood & Jerry Yang - 4th place in Project Visualize Service

Braswell High School
Payton Glutsch - 2nd place in Teacher Created Materials

LaGrone Academy
Sophia Montelongo & Jade Langford - 3rd place in Interactive Bulletin Board for secondary science

The Rodriguez Middle School TAFE educator is Jennie Andrews; the Myers Middle School TAFE educator is Leslie Cantu; the Crownover Middle School TAFE educator is Diana Edwards; the Ryan High TAFE educator is Misty Blagg; the Guyer High TAFE educator is Ashley Hamilton; the Braswell High TAFE educator is Jeanne Hicks; the LaGrone Academy TAFE educator is Staci Eby.