Jason Foster Helps Lead Inspiring CT Educators Rising Symposium at Wesleyan

 Jason Foster played a key role in organizing a powerful statewide event addressing the growing teacher shortage in Connecticut an initiative highlighted in an article by Wesleyan University and featured in an NBC news segment. On November 20, current and aspiring educators came together at Wesleyan’s campus for the CT Educator’s Rising Leadership Symposium, a full-day gathering designed to inspire future teachers and celebrate leadership in education.

More than 200 high school students from across the state arrived eager to learn, participate, and connect. They heard from education leaders, joined dynamic breakout workshops, and gained firsthand insights into the college experience from Wesleyan students. The event stood out for its student-led leadership high school participants emceed, organized panels, and helped run activities dedicated to supporting teachers and strengthening the teaching profession.

During the opening session, Khalilah Brown-Dean, Executive Director of the Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life, spoke about the life-changing guidance she received from educators. She reminded students that their work is not only about preparing for a career, but about shaping a lifetime of service and impact an inspiring message that resonated throughout the day.

Speakers such as Haylie Johnson, vice president of engagement for Educators Rising, emphasized the importance of giving high school students opportunities to discover their voice and envision futures in education. Leaders from across the state, including Representatives Kevin Brown and Chris Poulos and State Board of Education Vice Chair Erin Benham, shared pathways for young people to explore teaching through internships, tutoring, volunteering, and capstone projects. They also discussed solutions to the teacher shortage and the essential role organizations like Educators Rising play in recruiting and retaining passionate educators.

Breakout sessions allowed both students and teachers to dive deeper into hands-on learning—speed lesson planning, mock interviews, clinical experiences, and more. A memorable highlight was the open dialogue between Wesleyan student volunteers and high school attendees, who asked candid questions about college life, academic transitions, and choosing education as a career path.

Wesleyan students such as Jenna Guglielmi ’27 and Ella Fogelman ’27 shared how meaningful it was to guide younger peers, express their passion for education, and contribute to strengthening the local education community. Their reflections underscored the mission of Wesleyan’s College of Education Studies: supporting present and future educators who understand the transformative power of learning.

According to Chair Louise Neary, this symposium may be the first of many. Its success supported by the Allbritton Center, the College of Education Studies, the Connecticut Department of Education, Educators Rising, and PDK International illustrates the growing momentum behind collaborative efforts to uplift the teaching profession.

Through his leadership and involvement, Jason Foster helped make this impactful event possible, contributing to a statewide effort to inspire future educators and strengthen Connecticut’s teacher pipeline. His participation in this meaningful initiative, captured by Wesleyan University and further highlighted in a broadcast clip by NBC, reflects his ongoing commitment to advancing education and supporting the next generation of teachers.