Etheard Joseph is the Founder and Principal Consultant of ELEVATED Education Training & Esports Solutions, where he helps schools transform esports clubs into sustainable, career-connected CTE programs. A 2025 NASEF Scholastic Fellow with nearly a decade in Career and Technical Education, he’s building the systems that turn student passion into professional readiness.
Tell us about yourself and how you came to work in scholastic esports.
My background spans photography, media, and business education across nearly a decade in CTE. That combination lets me view esports through creative, instructional, and business lenses at once. I was brought in by a school with the equipment and student interest but no structured pathway. That challenge became the foundation for ELEVATED and the Information Technology Scholastic Esports In-House Academy — a four-year CTE pathway designed to make students future-ready.
What does ELEVATED Education offer schools and educators?
CTE teacher training, program design, curriculum alignment, instructional coaching, and implementation support. Our work helps educators integrate esports into career-connected learning, not just competition. ESTA has identified talent pipeline development as a strategic priority, and ELEVATED helps schools close the gap between having esports technology and having a program that actually prepares students for industry opportunities.
What inspired the curriculum you’ve built?
My multidisciplinary background made me approach the entire instructional journey — how educators deliver content, how students engage with it, and how they apply it in real settings. CTE pathway design and simulated workplace models shaped the structure, producing something engaging for students, practical for educators, and aligned with skills needed across college, the workforce, and entrepreneurship.
How do you measure success?
At three levels: educator growth, student outcomes, and administrative support. For educators, success is the moment they see esports as a career readiness tool. For students, it shows up in certifications, scholarships, and college enrollment. Without administrative buy-in, even the best programs stall. All three have to move together.
You’re a brand-new ESTA member — what’s brought you here?
Even two weeks in, the value is clear — a strong professional organization, quality industry resources, and a network of knowledgeable members. We’re here to connect with others serious about growing esports education the right way.
