Aliyah Tafoya

Hello! My name is Aliyah Tafoya. I am currently a senior at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School. I am fully committed to UW-Green Bay and plan on studying education with an emphasis on English the fall of 2024! I love being outside, hiking, and have been a student-athlete my entire high school career. My favorite color is sage green and I love listening to the artist SZA.  I have been a member of Educators Rising for two years and I have been president of my schools club for two years as well. Becoming an educator has been my dream since I was a child and I can’t wait to fulfill it!

Brooke Hess

Hi everyone! My name is Brooke Hess and I am currently not only serving as one of you Wisconsin Educators Rising Ambassadors but I am also serving as you Educators Rising National Student Vice President of Communications! I am currently in my senior year at Sheboygan North High School, planning to attend a UW school to pursue my passion for elementary education. In addition to education related things I am also incredibly involved with local theater companies in the costume department and enjoy spending my summers as a camp counselor. I love meeting new people and getting to be an advocate for students around Wisconsin, and the United States.

Ava Neis

A future educator who is excited about the future of education. I am Ava Neis, a senior in high school who plans on attending a four year college to study math education. I have not always known I wanted to be a teacher, but I know it is the right career for me. My middle school math teacher has made the biggest impact on me, she not only taught me math but she taught me to love to learn and teach. She made me see that there is so much more to being a teacher than just teaching, she taught us how to create something bigger than just kids in a classroom. I am heavily involved in various clubs and organizations within my school. Outside school I work two jobs, love to spend time with my family and friends, and go camping.

Meghan Pues

Hey Everyone! My name is Meghan Pues. I am currently a senior at Hortonville High School. I will be attending the University of Wisconsin Green-Bay to study education and mental health psychology! Teaching has always been a passion of mine. The children who I have taught and cared for will forever hold a special place in my heart. I love making an impact on the children around me, but what I love most is the impact they make on me. The impact the children have made on me, made me realize that teaching is what I was born to do! When I am not at school, I am a dance instructor at Unity Dance and Acrobatics and a member of the Badger State Girls Choir. I love the purpose and value of Educators Rising and am very excited to be a part of the future of educators!

Bennett Parys

My name is Bennett Parys. I’m a senior year at Hortonville High School. I will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for my masters in Music Education with a minor and vocal jazz. I spend a lot of my free time with music being in choir, vocal jazz, musical theater, private lessons. I also have two jobs, one as lifeguard at ymca and as an appetizer chef at Katsu-Ya of Japan. I’m currently teaching fifth and seventh choir in my district through my internship and it’s further inspired to me continue the track of education. My end goal with teaching is to receive my doctorate.