Category: English
Delaware rising
August 06, 2025 Written by CAS Communication Staff | Image © 2025 PDK International with Permission
Jessica Price says public speaking has never been her forte, and she remembers getting deductions for not making enough eye contact with the judges at previous competitions with Educators Rising.
Despite her self-doubt, Price became Delaware’s first collegiate winner at the 2025 national conference, taking home the top prize in “creative lecture.”
The sophomore English education major with minors in disability studies, and human development and family sciences has been competing at Educators Rising since her junior year of high school, when one of her teachers suggested getting involved.
“I find the community amazing,” she said. “You get to meet pre-service teachers from all over the country and hear so many different perspectives.
Educators Rising strives to eliminate the teacher shortage by reimagining educator pathways and inspire rising educators to become community leaders. State and local chapters host contests beginning with middle school-age students, with divisions through high school and collegiate levels.
Price describes her category as a sort of TED Talk.
“Every year there is a different prompt, and this year it was about students using AI in the classroom,” she said. “You go through your thoughts on the process and any solutions you can think of.”
Her solution focused on using AI as an instructional strategy and as a tool to help students understand digital literacy.
“Obviously, it’s not going anywhere," she said. “But my point was that it could be a partner, instead of taking over.”
She serves as president of UD’s Educators Rising Collegiate RSO and hopes more students get involved in the organization.
“It’s a great way to just get out there and learn about the field, so you’re more prepared when you start teaching,” she said.
In the meantime, she is waiting to learn about topics for the 2026 competition.
“I’m definitely going to try and compete again next year,” she said. “My schedule is going to be very hectic, but I just love doing it.”
