Competition Day Info - 2027 Educators Rising Illinois 7th Annual State Conference

Date: March 8, 2027

Time: 10:00AM to 4:00PM

Location: DeGarmo Hall, Illinois State University

Registration Deadline: January 24, or when the maximum number of competitors is reached

All students must be registered Educators Rising members to be able to compete. Only entry forms for paid members will be considered for the conference competition. If an entry form is completed by a student who is not a member, that entry space is subject to be filled by a student member if the maximum number of competitors is reached and/or the registration deadline occurs prior to paid membership completion.

Schools are not required to attend both Competition Day and Conference Day. You are welcome to attend just one day or both, whichever works best for your school. If you plan to attend Conference Day on March 9th, please be sure to register your school's attendees. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION LINK

Before confirming the final list of competitors, the EdRising IL Coordinator will confirm the following:

1. The student has a paid EdRising student membership for the 2026 - 2027 school year.

2. The student's teacher leader is a 2026 - 2027 registered EdRising teacher leader who approved for the student to compete in this competition.

3. Only two participants/entries are allowed per school, per competition. All other participants can be added to the competition's waitlist. No substitutions allowed.

4. The student must submit the prescoring required materials by the 1/31/27 deadline, or they will be disqualified from competing in the 2027 EdRising IL State Conference.

After the Competition: The top 10 students who score 90% or higher in each competition will qualify to compete at the Educators Rising National Conference in June 2027. Students are not required to compete at nationals; funding is not included.

Summary: High school students will apply and interview for a paraprofessional position, then participate in a mock interview during the competition. See the competition guide for the job description details needed to complete the requirements, linked below.

Guidelines at a glance

• Prescoring Requirement: Due January 31, the approved competitor must upload and submit their cover letter and resume via email to educatorsrising@ieanea.org. Missing this deadline results in disqualification.

• Bring to the Competition: The competitor may bring their cover letter and resume to the interview.

• Presentation: The interview will last a maximum of 15 minutes. Competitors will respond to judges' interview questions.

Summary: High school students will write a short story for a kindergarten through third grade audience in book format, written in English or Spanish. If both languages appear, there must be clear evidence of the primary language, and the presentation read aloud will be given in that primary language. See the competition guide for full requirements, linked below.

Guidelines at a glance

• Prescoring Requirement: Due January 31, the approved competitor(s) must upload and submit a completed Statement of Originality (included in the guide) and a PDF copy of the book, via email to educatorsrising@ieanea.org. Missing this deadline results in disqualification.

• Bring to the Competition: The competitor(s) must bring the book.

• Presentation: The presentation will be at least 5 minutes and no more than 10 minutes. Judges will ask questions after the book presentation.

Summary: High school students will write and deliver a speech/presentation in English or Spanish about a personal experience that illustrates the power of being an educator. See the competition guide for full requirements, linked below.

Guidelines at a glance

• Prescoring Requirement: Due January 31, the approved competitor must upload and submit their speech via email to educatorsrising@ieanea.org. Missing this deadline results in disqualification.

• Bring to the Competition: The competitor may use up to five 4x6 index cards, written on one side only.

• Presentation: The presentation/speech will be a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 4 minutes. Competitors will respond to judges' questions after the presentation.

Summary: High school students will write, plan, and conduct a lesson plan on their chosen topic. The video and lesson plan will be prescored, and competition time will be spent reflecting with judges. See the competition guide for full requirements, linked below.

Guidelines at a glance

• Prescoring Requirement: Due January 31, the approved competitor must upload and submit a written lesson plan and video of the plan being presented (10 minimum maximum), via email to educatorsrising@ieanea. Missing this deadline results in disqualification.

• Bring to the competition: Copy of the written lesson plan.

• Presentation: The students will reflect with the judges for up to 10 minutes on the pre-scored lesson plan and video.