Educators Rising

Education Career Development Serviceseducatorsrising.org

Educators Rising is a national CTSO and division of PDK International that operates school-based chapters across 42 states, delivering standards-based curriculum, micro-credentials, and competitions to recruit and prepare high school and college students for teaching careers through 85+ Partner Institutions.

Company typePrivate
Founded2014
HeadquartersArlington, United States
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2B and B2C
OfferingServices

What Educators Rising does

Educators Rising is a national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) and division of PDK International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1906. Established in 2014, the organization builds a K-12-to-college-to-classroom pipeline for future teachers, operating school-based chapters across 42 states with affiliate agreements and feeding teacher preparation programs at 85+ Partner Institutions. Its core offering is a standards-based curriculum of nearly 60 lesson topics organized into five domains (You, Your Students, Your Classroom, Your Community, Your Profession), aligned with standards developed via the NBPTS professional consensus model with NEA support. Supporting products include Lesson Assessments (bundled into curriculum contracts), Beginning to Teaching Micro-credentials via Digital Promise, ETS ParaPro Assessment testing, the Educators Rising National Honor Society, and the Educators Rising Training Center (online PD platform launched April 2026).

The business model combines multiple recurring and transactional revenue streams: $14,000 annual curriculum subscriptions per school (including 2 staff and 20 student memberships), $15 per-student annual memberships, Partner Institution tier fees (Preferred, Highly Recommended, Recommended), national conference registrations (3,800+ attendees in 2026), ParaPro testing code resales at a discount over ETS list price, and grants/scholarships funded through the PDK Educational Foundation and local funders. Distribution is hybrid: a self-serve membership portal for individual sign-ups, a field Outreach & Engagement team covering regional US territories for district/school curriculum sales, and a Partner Institution channel through 85+ universities. Customers span high school and middle school students (primary), teacher leaders and state coordinators, colleges/universities, district administrators, and movement funders/sponsors.

Operationally, the organization runs lean with 11-50 employees led by CEO Jeanie Lee and COO Albert C. Chen of PDK International, supported by directors across Membership, Programs, Outreach & Partnerships, Operations, and Finance, plus state coordinators in 42+ states. Technology consists of a web-based membership portal, curriculum delivery system, assessment platform, micro-credentialing integration with Digital Promise, and ParaPro testing integration with ETS; no AI/ML capabilities are evident. The platform is anchored by major partnerships with NEA, NBPTS, Digital Promise, ETS, Pi Lambda Theta, and Chmura Economics, and is governed as part of PDK International's nonprofit structure with no external venture or private equity funding.

Educators Rising firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Educators Rising
Legal name: Phi Delta Kappa International, Inc.
Website: https://educatorsrising.org
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2014
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: Educators Rising is a national CTSO and division of PDK International that operates school-based chapters across 42 states, delivering standards-based curriculum, micro-credentials, and competitions to recruit and prepare high school and college students for teaching careers through 85+ Partner Institutions.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Educators Rising industry classification

Industry

Product category: Education Career Development Services
NAICS: Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
SIC: Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
akta.pro primary industry: Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)
akta.pro secondary industries: Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB), Standards Alignment & Curriculum Mapping (State/National) (EDAJAFAD), Classroom Assessment & Grading (Formative/Summative) (EDAJAFAC)

Keywords

Teacher pipeline development
Career technical education
Education curriculum services
Grow your own programs
Student teaching pathways

Where Educators Rising is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Arlington
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Educators Rising business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B and B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

Student Membership Fees: Active-level student membership at $15 per student per year. Required for competition participation, conference attendance, scholarships, and leadership opportunities.
Curriculum Subscription: Annual subscription model at $14,000 per school (includes membership for 2 staff and 20 students). Discounts applied for multi-year purchases. Includes curriculum materials, lesson assessments, and training access.
Partner Institution Fees: Colleges and universities pay for partnership tiers (Preferred, Highly Recommended, Recommended) to gain access to student pipeline and marketing benefits.
National Conference Revenue: Conference registration fees for students, teacher leaders, and chaperones attending the annual national conference.
ParaPro Assessment Testing: Schools purchase ParaPro testing codes from Educators Rising (discount offered over ETS list price) to administer certification exams.
Donations and Grants: PDK Educational Foundation provides over 100 scholarships annually. Organization receives funding from local funders and foundations through Grow Your Own programs.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Active Student Membership - $15 per student annually
Subscription	Annual	Curriculum Subscription - $14,000 per school annually
Other	Multi-year contract	PDK Scholarships - $500 to $4,000 awards

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Educators Rising product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Educators Rising is a community-based Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that operates school-based chapters feeding teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities. It sells a standards-based curriculum (nearly 60 lessons across five domains) to high schools, operates a membership portal for students and teacher leaders, and runs an annual national conference with competitions. The organization also administers micro-credentials through Digital Promise and discounted ETS ParaPro assessment codes for paraprofessional certification.

Product overview

Educators Rising offers a comprehensive CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) platform for developing future educators. The core offering is the Educators Rising Curriculum — a standards-based instructional program with nearly 60 lesson topics across five domains, delivered via PowerPoint and PDF resources. This is complemented by Educators Rising Lesson Assessments (included with new curriculum contracts), Beginning to Teaching Micro-credentials via Digital Promise (performance-based digital badges), and ETS ParaPro Assessment (for certification). The membership portal provides access to national network activities, conferences, and competitions. Additional programs include the Educators Rising National Honor Society, PDK International Scholarship Program, National Signing Day, and Educators Rising Collegiate for post-secondary transition support. The Grow Your Own Playbook and Webinar Series provide implementation guidance for districts establishing educator pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

Educators Rising Collegiate: Collegiate-level program continuing to serve Educators Rising members at the college level by recommending education programs that supply them with support throughout their college careers.
Educators Rising Alumni Association
Educators Rising National Honor Society
Educators Rising Training Center

Quantifiable outcome

400% more likely to stay in teaching aspirations vs. other professions
+5 more outcomes

Companies that use Educators Rising

Customer profile

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Educators Rising technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Educators Rising partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, preferred, highly recommended, recommended and minor.

PDK InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPDK International is the parent organization of Educators Rising. Established in 1906, PDK supports P-20 educators through research, practice, and professional development. Educators Rising is a community-based movement from PDK International operating as a CTSO with chapters feeding teacher preparation programs.
National Education Association (NEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEA provided support in developing the Educators Rising Standards. The seven standards define what high school students exploring teaching need to know and be able to do for accomplished teaching.
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducators Rising Standards were created via the professional consensus model developed by NBPTS. Standards are aligned with NBPTS and INTASC standards for accomplished teaching.
Digital PromisecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for Beginning to Teach Micro-credentials. Performance-based digital badges allow rising educators to showcase growing teaching skills. Several universities now award credit for Educators Rising Micro-credentials.
ETS (Educational Testing Service)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for ParaPro Assessment. Educators Rising offers discounted testing codes for the ParaPro assessment, allowing schools to administer certification exams in-building. Students can become certified paraprofessionals before completing teacher preparation.
Pi Lambda ThetacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the nation's most prestigious education honor societies. Established 1910, Pi Lambda Theta recognizes outstanding students pursuing education careers. Over 185,000 inductees. Partner institutions can offer Pi Lambda Theta recognition to Educators Rising members.
Towson UniversitypreferredChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred Partner Institution in Maryland. Works to diversify the profession, offer recognition, and provide support through Educators Rising initiatives.
University of ArkansaspreferredChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred Partner Institution in Arkansas. Fayetteville, AR location.
Aurora Universityhighly recommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHighly Recommended Partner Institution in Illinois. Aurora, IL location.
Illinois State Universityhighly recommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHighly Recommended Partner Institution in Illinois. Normal, IL location.
University of Louisiana-Monroehighly recommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHighly Recommended Partner Institution in Louisiana. Monroe, LA location.
George Mason Universityhighly recommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHighly Recommended Partner Institution in Virginia. Fairfax, VA location.
Grand Canyon UniversityrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Phoenix, AZ location.
University of ArizonarecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Tucson, AZ location.
University of Central FloridarecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Orlando, FL location.
University of South FloridarecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Tampa, FL location.
Texas A&M UniversityrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. College Station, TX location.
University of HoustonrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Houston, TX location.
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Richmond, VA location.
Penn State UniversityrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. State College, PA location.
Duquesne UniversityrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Pittsburgh, PA location.
West Chester UniversityrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. West Chester, PA location.
Indiana UniversityrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Bloomington, IN location.
Marian University IndianapolisrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Indianapolis, IN location.
Howard UniversityrecommendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended Partner Institution. Washington, DC location.
Chmura Economics & AnalyticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to analyze labor data and economic indicators regarding teacher shortage. Joint webinar examining economic data through JobsEQ tool.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Educators Rising competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

DECA: DECA is a national CTSO preparing emerging leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Like Educators Rising, DECA operates school-based chapters, conferences, and competitions, and competes for the same student activity and CTE program slots.
Technology Student Association (TSA): TSA is a national CTSO for students interested in STEM and technology careers. Its chapter-based structure, conferences, and competitions provide a directly comparable CTSO model competing for the same high-school teacher leader bandwidth.
HOSA-Future Health Professionals: HOSA is a national CTSO for students pursuing healthcare careers, with chapters, conferences, and competitive events. Like Educators Rising, it delivers a career-pathway CTSO model with state affiliates feeding postsecondary programs.
FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America): FBLA is a national CTSO for students pursuing business and leadership careers, with a parallel chapter-based, conference-and-competition model. It competes with Educators Rising for teacher leader time, chapter slots, and CTE program budgets in high schools.
SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a national CTSO serving middle-school, high-school, and college students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. Its chapter-based, competition-driven model and CTE focus closely mirror Educators Rising's structure.

Broad incumbents

PDK International: PDK International is the parent organization of Educators Rising and a broader professional association serving educators across P-20. It offers overlapping capability in educator support, publications (Phi Delta Kappan), and the Pi Lambda Theta honor society, but operates at a wider scope than Educators Rising's CTSO focus.
Pi Lambda Theta: Pi Lambda Theta is a sister organization to Educators Rising under PDK International, recognizing outstanding education students. It is comparable in mission (building the educator pipeline) but targets collegiate rather than high-school members.
National Education Association (NEA): NEA is the largest U.S. teacher union and a strategic partner that co-developed Educators Rising Standards. As a broad incumbent in educator advocacy and professional development, NEA overlaps in mission but not in CTSO delivery model.

Others

Educational Testing Service (ETS): ETS is the testing organization behind the ParaPro Assessment, which Educators Rising resells to schools at a discount. ETS is an enabling partner in the certification pathway rather than a competitor in the CTSO space.
Digital Promise: Digital Promise is a nonprofit that partners with Educators Rising to deliver the Beginning to Teaching micro-credentials. It is an enabling ecosystem participant in Educators Rising's product stack rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Educators Rising financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Educators Rising leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Educators Rising funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Educators Rising M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Educators Rising

What does Educators Rising do?

Is Educators Rising a public or private company?

Educators Rising is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Educators Rising founded?

Educators Rising was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is Educators Rising based?

Educators Rising is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.

How does Educators Rising make money?

Six revenue lines are on record. Student Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are curriculum Subscription, partner Institution Fees, national Conference Revenue, paraPro Assessment Testing and donations and Grants.

Who are Educators Rising's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are DECA, Technology Student Association (TSA), HOSA-Future Health Professionals, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and SkillsUSA. Broad incumbents are PDK International, Pi Lambda Theta and National Education Association (NEA). Others are Educational Testing Service (ETS) and Digital Promise.

Does Educators Rising have an API?

No public API is recorded for Educators Rising.

What industry is Educators Rising in?

Educators Rising's product category is Education Career Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAJ, Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs, with a secondary code of EDAJAFAB, Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8600.