Keystone Oaks Educators Rising

🍎 That's a wrap on the 2026 Educators Rising State Conference! We heard from PA Teachers of the Year, made new friends from across the Commonwealth, and even scored some hardware!
🥈 Congratulations to Vee Betta for taking second place in the Creative Lecture competition!
🥉 Congratulations are also in order for Kellen Veri, who placed third in Creative Lecture!
🏆 Because of their finishes, Vee and Kellen qualified to compete at the National Conference this June in Portland, OR!

🍎 We had the opportunity to welcome Mr. Jeff Ney, PSEA Vice President, into our Principles of Teaching class today!
🏫 Mr. Ney shared his journey to becoming a teacher and the importance of having good mentors along the way. We also discussed the important qualities a teacher needs to have in order to be an effective educator.
⭐ THANK YOU, Mr. Ney! We greatly appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to visit with us!

🚨 Tomorrow! Students attending the state conference are highly encouraged to attend February's meeting! (There will be a snack!)

🗓️ Stop by next week for the January meeting! It is strongly recommended that all members attend in order to go to the State Conference!
☕ There will be a hot chocolate bar with all the toppings!

🗓️ Tomorrow is our first Drop & Shop Saturday!
🛍️ Parents! Take advantage of a few hours of time to yourself to finish holiday shopping, wrap gifts, or just enjoy some peace and quiet!
📋 Sign up at bit.ly/KODropAndShop and to get more details

🥳 This is a wonderful story about a KO alum already making a difference in the lives of students! Way to go, Maj!

Dimajio Locante, a sophomore secondary education major, spent this past summer serving as a lead counselor at Camp Batch, a summer camp run by former Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch’s Best of the Batch Foundation designed to help students to avoid summer learning loss and to have fun while doing it.

“Experiences like that help the kids to stay true to themselves, but also to be better,” Locante explained. “It gives them space to express in ways that they don’t normally get the opportunity to.”

Click the link below to hear what Locante has to say about his experience and the importance of giving kids space to be themselves!

https://news.sru.edu/dimajio-locante-helps-to-creates-a-summer-to-remember-for-area-youth/

🎁 Parents*: Need time to finish preparing for the holidays, or just looking for a few quiet hours to yourself? Register now for our Drop & Shop event!

Dates: Saturday, December 13 or Saturday, December 20, 2025
Time: 9 AM - 2 PM (Please send a lunch with your child)
Ages: 3 1/2 - 9 (Children must be potty trained - there are no diapering facilities available)
Fee: $40 per child per day

❄️ Children will be broken up into age groups to engage in age-appropriate activities. They will be supervised by high school students in the Educators Rising club as well as the Child Development program.

*These events are currently open only to district residents and employees.

🚨 November's meeting is this Thursday! Join us for Apple nachos and help plan fundraising events!
🥖 Don't forget to turn in your hoagie orders!

🎃 Sick of Halloween candy yet?? Join us tonight for a good meal and support our chapter of Educators Rising!
🍽️ Proceeds from guest checks between 5 and 9 PM will go toward our fundraising efforts to attend the State Conference in March!

🗓️ This Saturday, November 1, take a break from all that Halloween candy and join us at Coach's Bottleshop & Grille!
🍽️ Proceeds from guest checks between 5 and 9 PM will benefit the Keystone Oaks chapter of Educators Rising!
🏆 We appreciate your support of our students who are working to attend the State Conference in March at Penn State! Students will be competing in a variety of events against other students from across Pennsylvania.