A group of education advocates is sponsoring a free, online symposium later this week designed to celebrate and support teachers.

The nonprofit RISE, Treasure Valley Education Partnership (RISE TVEP) is sponsoring “More than school: A statewide education symposium.” The free event runs from 8 a.m. to noon Mountain Time on Friday.

The keynote speaker is Diane Ravitch, a nationally known education advocate and New York University research professor. Ravitch will provide her perspective on the state of public education in the United States.

Sonia Galaviz, a Boise teacher who has won numerous national teaching awards, including the NEA’s Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence and Cindy Wilson, a retired government teacher who ran for superintendent of public instruction in 2018, will also speak during Friday’s symposium.

The speakers and panels will focus on the state of education and shine a light on how the pandemic has changed education, RISE TVEP co-CEO’s Don Coberly and Danielle Horras said.

“This event is different; we are asking educators about education,” Horras said.

They will get into assessment, there will be a panel for educators and a moderated discussion for superintendents.

“Teachers out there are working harder than ever and we need to highlight that and provide them with a toolbox to help them come together and empower them,” Wilson said.

“It’s too important to not take it seriously.”

Several school districts are closed Friday for conferences or professional development, giving educators a chance to tune in.

More information and a Zoom registration link are available online.