You can feel the energy in the room long before anyone says a word. It's the kind of lively, comfortable banter that only happens when people genuinely enjoy the work they're doing — and the people doing it with them. At Du Quoin High School, Ed Rising has become exactly that kind of place: a home base for students exploring the idea of becoming teachers.

At the head of the table is Sammy Morris, an instructional coach who teaches the Intro to Teaching class and co-advises the club. She spent eleven years in elementary classrooms before coming to the high school. "Over at the elementary, you feel like a rock star," she laughs. "Hugs, high-fives. High school kids? You don't know if they like you." But when students tell her she's made an impact, "it makes me teary-eyed," she admits.

Across from her sits John Vercellino, the college biology teacher whose path into education began with coaching. "I was pre-med," he says. "I always thought I'd never be a teacher because it doesn't pay enough." But he discovered something richer: "I really loved these kids. It's worth it to go to a job that you enjoy."

Across from me sit two student leaders: Senior Raymond Davis and Junior Kenzie Oestreicher, Ed Rising's president and vice president. Kenzie joined because she once dreamed of becoming a math teacher. "We go to the middle school and elementary and teach in after-school programs," she says. "It gave me opportunities right away." And Sammy inspired her. "Yes, she did," Kenzie says when asked.

Ray moved to Du Quoin from Carbondale. At first, he was shy — the smaller town felt overwhelming because everyone knew each other. But Du Quoin's openness changed him. "Now I'm more out there," he says. John adds with a grin, "Homecoming king."

The club meets once or twice a month, sometimes more. This is only their second year, but already they have 70 members with an executive council of 13. "There's always kids in our room," Sammy says.

Their mission is straightforward: help students explore teaching and help them appreciate the difference educators make. But Sammy sees another layer. For years, teaching has been talked down. "People were convincing their kids not to go into teaching," she says. "But there are kids who have that calling. I'd hate for them to be talked out of it."

Ed Rising gives them a chance to see the profession from the inside. Ray talks about Family Reading Night, where the theme was sports. Different athletes read picture books to kids. Sammy adds the part that made it unforgettable: the athletes ran out of the locker-room tunnel in full uniform before joining the children. "It was a big deal," she says.

Kenzie lights up remembering it. "You get all these age groups together. Kids seeing athletes reading — that sparks something."

Last year, Ed Rising members dressed as fairy-tale characters for the event, signed autographs, and helped run activities. This year, they helped with crafts and literacy stations. "It's a community literacy moment," Ray says.

And then there are the competitions. Last year, Raymond and Kenzie both stepped in for the first time: Raymond in a job interview, Kenzie in public speaking. She had never given a speech before and was nervous — "shaky at first," she says. But she steadied. She delivered. She placed third in the state and qualified for nationals.

"We were so proud," Sammy says.

"There's lots of times that they just wow us," she adds. The mutual inspiration runs both ways.

What the club teaches becomes clear in moments like these: leadership, communication, connection, confidence. But most of all, purpose.

"Sometimes your classroom is the one they look forward to every day," John says.

For the next generation of educators seated at this table and those they represent, that's not just a hopeful idea. It's the beginning of their why.