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UA+Ed Grant In Action: Ava M. competes at the National Educators Rising Conference and Brings Perspective and Experience Back to UAHS
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Thanks to a UA+Ed grant, junior Ava M. had the opportunity to represent both UAHS and the state of Ohio at the National Educators Rising Conference in Portland, Oregon this summer. After placing first in the Children's Literature K-3 division at the Ohio Educator’s Rising Competition last spring, Ava earned the chance to compete at the national conference, where she presented her book to judges, participated in professional learning sessions, and connected with talented students from across the country who share a passion for education.
Ava’s heartfelt children’s book was inspired by her unique childhood – she moved from Chicago to Michigan, then to Ireland, Singapore, back to Chicago, and finally to Columbus in 2025. Each move meant leaving behind friends, adapting to new schools, and learning how to begin again. Those experiences became the inspiration for Ava’s book, Stories Under The Stars, which reminds young readers that although moving can be difficult, friendships don't disappear with distance. Ava explained,
Like the stars, true friends are still there—even when you can't always see them. I wanted to make a story that would comfort kids who've moved around a lot. Moving is a universal experience.
Ava is grateful that her book resonated with readers and considers the experience of competing at the National Educators Rising Conference a huge success. It strengthened her confidence and expanded her understanding of the profession she hopes to enter. While the experience allowed her to showcase Stories Under the Stars, the impact was greater than the competition itself. Upon reflection, Ava realized that success at the national level requires a different mindset than success at the state competition.
Ava returned home with that knowledge, and is now inspired to help her peers find success at both the State and National level. While many UA students participate in the state Educator Rising competition, Ava was the only student this year to advance to the national competition. She learned that beyond creating an outstanding project, students must thoughtfully engage with judges, understand every detail of the scoring rubric, and confidently communicate the purpose behind their work. Those lessons are exactly what Ava is excited to bring back to her fellow UA Educators Rising peers.
This year, Ava will serve as co-president of the UAHS Educators Rising Club. The 2027 National Educators Rising Conference will be in Columbus, Ohio next summer so Ava is eager to encourage more of her peers to work hard and work together to make it to the national competition. "I want other students to understand what nationals are really like and be excited to participate," she said.
Ava expressed her gratitude to UA+Ed donors,
Thank you for supporting me and allowing me to compete at the national level. I hope I can use my experience to inspire other club members to write stories using their own personal flair and, if given the opportunity, to participate and succeed in both the State and National Competitions.
Two of UA+Ed's core values are Supporting Innovation and Leaders and Fueling ideas and creativity in the classroom and beyond. Ava’s experience shows the ripple effect of that investment: one meaningful opportunity can inspire a student to grow, lead, and share what she has learned so others are better prepared to reach their own goals.
Stories Under the Stars by Ava M. can be purchased on Amazon
The Upper Arlington Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides access to meaningful opportunities for students that are beyond the budget of the Upper Arlington School District. Established in 1985, UA+Ed is permanently structured to fund programs and projects today and for generations to come. The Upper Arlington Alumni Association is an important part of the foundation and keeps graduates connected, engaged, and motivated to pay it forward.
