top of page
A page of dedication to those special, longtime friends-and-colleagues without whom our career journeys would not be the same! Longterm, trusting, caring professional relationships are possible! Enjoy reading these testaments to enduring friendship among worthy educators. We'll continue to add new #edufriends as we receive them beyond our initial February celebration and celebrate your stories the end of every week on Best Friends Friday using #BFFriday on social media. Share your story and show that longterm, loyal, caring, nurturing, professional friendships are still possible!
Amanda & Corliss
Dr. Corlis Curry, my principal for four remarkable years, has been one of the most influential figures in my professional journey. Her leadership, rooted in trust and empowerment, gave me the freedom to grow in ways I never thought possible. I vividly remember her saying, “I know my best people will outgrow my organization if I do my job as a leader.” Those words stayed with me because they reflected her selflessness and deep commitment to fostering growth in others.
Together, Dr. Curry and I led the building of an arts integration program that transformed our school into a glorious, colorful, and child-centered space where the arts truly oozed from the walls. It became a place of joy and creativity, inspiring the whole school community. Those four years working under her leadership were the happiest and most fulfilling of my classroom teaching career. Her trust and encouragement allowed me to thrive in ways I hadn’t experienced before, and I will always cherish that time.
Since our time working together, Dr. Curry and I have often met for lunch or brainstorming sessions to dream up ways we can still collaborate. She remains a humble force of inspiration. When I once told her how much credit she deserves for my professional success, she brushed it off, insisting my achievements had nothing to do with her. But that simply isn’t true. Her belief in me set the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished. Through me, her impact extends to countless teachers and students—a legacy that I find truly remarkable.
Dr. Curry also inspired me to keep going during moments of frustration and exhaustion. She always seemed to know just when I needed encouragement or a gentle nudge to persevere. Her calm, composed demeanor was a perfect complement to my own creative energy and ambition. While I often thrive on bold ideas and big-picture thinking, she brought steadiness and clarity, ensuring those ideas could come to life in meaningful ways.
One of the things I’ve always admired most about Dr. Curry is her unwavering commitment to her values and ethics. She leads with integrity, and that example has guided me in my own work. I strive to embody her authenticity and strength in all I do. Dr. Curry’s influence reaches far beyond what she may realize, and I hope she knows how deeply grateful I am for her leadership and friendship.
Amanda Koonlaba
A Worthy Educator
Together, Dr. Curry and I led the building of an arts integration program that transformed our school into a glorious, colorful, and child-centered space where the arts truly oozed from the walls. It became a place of joy and creativity, inspiring the whole school community. Those four years working under her leadership were the happiest and most fulfilling of my classroom teaching career. Her trust and encouragement allowed me to thrive in ways I hadn’t experienced before, and I will always cherish that time.
Since our time working together, Dr. Curry and I have often met for lunch or brainstorming sessions to dream up ways we can still collaborate. She remains a humble force of inspiration. When I once told her how much credit she deserves for my professional success, she brushed it off, insisting my achievements had nothing to do with her. But that simply isn’t true. Her belief in me set the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished. Through me, her impact extends to countless teachers and students—a legacy that I find truly remarkable.
Dr. Curry also inspired me to keep going during moments of frustration and exhaustion. She always seemed to know just when I needed encouragement or a gentle nudge to persevere. Her calm, composed demeanor was a perfect complement to my own creative energy and ambition. While I often thrive on bold ideas and big-picture thinking, she brought steadiness and clarity, ensuring those ideas could come to life in meaningful ways.
One of the things I’ve always admired most about Dr. Curry is her unwavering commitment to her values and ethics. She leads with integrity, and that example has guided me in my own work. I strive to embody her authenticity and strength in all I do. Dr. Curry’s influence reaches far beyond what she may realize, and I hope she knows how deeply grateful I am for her leadership and friendship.
Amanda Koonlaba
A Worthy Educator
Anne, Joanne & Regina
I have known Regina Barbely and Anne Barringer for more than 30 years. As an administrator, I needed a village to govern my schools and district, and there was no one who was more critical to this than the administrative assistants who helped me keep a steady hand-on-helm in waters both choppy and calm. I first met Regina and Anne as parents of students in schools where I served as principal. So, I had the pleasure and privilege of coming to know them first through their children. As we became colleagues and worked side-by-side, friendships took root - and we carry these forward into our lives today. Having so much shared history, our friendships have been honed by time like fine wines - balanced, unique, harmonious, and with depth and complexity.
As I reflect on the enduring relationship that Regina, Anne and I have shared, memories come flooding back — the professional mingling with the personal. Over our years of working together, not only did we become important to one another, but our families did also. They became our “families of the heart.” We rejoiced at weddings, celebrated milestones, welcomed babies, bid farewell to pets, and stood nearby — intentionally in the shadows — as we each experienced grief and loss.
Nearly three years ago, I lost my beloved mother at age 96. Given a very large family and wide circle of friends, there were a great many who came to pay tribute to her. In the midst of all this, I began to feel personally unmoored. A little lost and shaky. Right then, I looked up to see Regina, Anne and another dear colleague, Marcia, standing there. It made perfect sense to me that those who assisted me and stood by my side during almost everything I did professionally, were there to support me personally — and exactly at the moment when I was searching for a source of solace and stability. As soon as I saw them, I smiled knowingly and leaned into their caring and empathic embrace. I felt my body steady and my mind calm. They remained with me throughout the night — seated just off to the side. I took comfort simply in their presence — unwavering and unconditional.
On that evening, an oft-cited quote came to mind: “True friends are those who lift you up…when no one else has noticed that you have fallen.”
There is no one story that can capture our shared relationship. It’s more like a long string of adventures. Throughout time, Regina was the one who always brought detail, advance thinking, skillful planning, and depth of organization to whatever it was that I was doing. She was like Radar in "Mash" - she knew what I needed before I knew I needed it. She was absolutely indispensable. Anne was the one who always kept me grounded. I was forever making grand plans, and Anne would remind me of my humanness and my capacity. Without her, I would have literally spun out of control. She was not afraid to reel me - in the nicest of ways - and center me. Together, we were a trio to be reckoned with! In time, we became part of one another’s personal and professional “shadow teams” - waiting in the wings, just offstage, and ever-ready to step in as needed. How lucky have I been to have that kind of support, comfort, safety, understanding, kinship, and dedication.
When we gather together now, it’s as if time has never passed. We pick up our conversations from where we last left off. We take joy in our grandchildren’s antics and in news of our children. We talk with the kind of fondness about our past that can only come when you have shared lived experiences. Oh the secrets we hold, the stories we tell, and the laughter that surrounds us! I truly love, appreciate, and honor Regina and Anne. They are forever friends.
Joanne Kerekes
A Worthy Educator
As I reflect on the enduring relationship that Regina, Anne and I have shared, memories come flooding back — the professional mingling with the personal. Over our years of working together, not only did we become important to one another, but our families did also. They became our “families of the heart.” We rejoiced at weddings, celebrated milestones, welcomed babies, bid farewell to pets, and stood nearby — intentionally in the shadows — as we each experienced grief and loss.
Nearly three years ago, I lost my beloved mother at age 96. Given a very large family and wide circle of friends, there were a great many who came to pay tribute to her. In the midst of all this, I began to feel personally unmoored. A little lost and shaky. Right then, I looked up to see Regina, Anne and another dear colleague, Marcia, standing there. It made perfect sense to me that those who assisted me and stood by my side during almost everything I did professionally, were there to support me personally — and exactly at the moment when I was searching for a source of solace and stability. As soon as I saw them, I smiled knowingly and leaned into their caring and empathic embrace. I felt my body steady and my mind calm. They remained with me throughout the night — seated just off to the side. I took comfort simply in their presence — unwavering and unconditional.
On that evening, an oft-cited quote came to mind: “True friends are those who lift you up…when no one else has noticed that you have fallen.”
There is no one story that can capture our shared relationship. It’s more like a long string of adventures. Throughout time, Regina was the one who always brought detail, advance thinking, skillful planning, and depth of organization to whatever it was that I was doing. She was like Radar in "Mash" - she knew what I needed before I knew I needed it. She was absolutely indispensable. Anne was the one who always kept me grounded. I was forever making grand plans, and Anne would remind me of my humanness and my capacity. Without her, I would have literally spun out of control. She was not afraid to reel me - in the nicest of ways - and center me. Together, we were a trio to be reckoned with! In time, we became part of one another’s personal and professional “shadow teams” - waiting in the wings, just offstage, and ever-ready to step in as needed. How lucky have I been to have that kind of support, comfort, safety, understanding, kinship, and dedication.
When we gather together now, it’s as if time has never passed. We pick up our conversations from where we last left off. We take joy in our grandchildren’s antics and in news of our children. We talk with the kind of fondness about our past that can only come when you have shared lived experiences. Oh the secrets we hold, the stories we tell, and the laughter that surrounds us! I truly love, appreciate, and honor Regina and Anne. They are forever friends.
Joanne Kerekes
A Worthy Educator
Apryl, Alina & Amber
When it comes to longterm relationships, I immediately think of my sisters who are also educators: Alina Taylor and Amber Taylor. I am fortunate to have them in my family, though it can be a bit intimidating when we get together. While, of course, we have shared bonds that extend past our occupations, being a teacher is a large part of our identities and we LOVE to talk about it!
There’s something so comforting about talking to people who have been with you through all the waves of new technology and strategies that come through our world. We can reminisce about the days when we wrote on projector transparencies, debate about our current understanding of AI platforms, and visualize what we hope education will look like in the future.
I appreciate that whenever I need advice or an opportunity to vent, they are willing to listen and offer support. It is so wonderful to share my successes and failures with people who are in the field but not necessarily in my day-to-day. We each have our own location, specialty, and goals. Yet we are able to jump right in and have some real talk, knowing that we share the same values and can learn from each other’s experiences.
What does "teacher support" actually look like? 🍎✨
For me and my sisters, it’s been a lifelong evolution. My core memories are stained with glue sticks and laminate scraps!
Back in high school, I was the "assistant" helping my older sister set up her very first classroom. Fast forward to adulthood, and visiting New York meant organizing TPT resources and laminating until my hands cramped.
Now? Life is busier, the distance is further, and the support looks a little different. These days, it’s propping the phone up on speaker and letting each other vent while we tackle mountains of laundry. 🧺
Support doesn't always have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes, it’s just being the voice on the other end of the line. Give yourself grace today—offer support however you can, and don't be afraid to ask for it in return. 🤍
Apryl Taylor
A Worthy Educator
There’s something so comforting about talking to people who have been with you through all the waves of new technology and strategies that come through our world. We can reminisce about the days when we wrote on projector transparencies, debate about our current understanding of AI platforms, and visualize what we hope education will look like in the future.
I appreciate that whenever I need advice or an opportunity to vent, they are willing to listen and offer support. It is so wonderful to share my successes and failures with people who are in the field but not necessarily in my day-to-day. We each have our own location, specialty, and goals. Yet we are able to jump right in and have some real talk, knowing that we share the same values and can learn from each other’s experiences.
What does "teacher support" actually look like? 🍎✨
For me and my sisters, it’s been a lifelong evolution. My core memories are stained with glue sticks and laminate scraps!
Back in high school, I was the "assistant" helping my older sister set up her very first classroom. Fast forward to adulthood, and visiting New York meant organizing TPT resources and laminating until my hands cramped.
Now? Life is busier, the distance is further, and the support looks a little different. These days, it’s propping the phone up on speaker and letting each other vent while we tackle mountains of laundry. 🧺
Support doesn't always have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes, it’s just being the voice on the other end of the line. Give yourself grace today—offer support however you can, and don't be afraid to ask for it in return. 🤍
Apryl Taylor
A Worthy Educator
Ashley & David
David Lowery has been a steadfast presence in my professional life for decades, embodying the very essence of loyalty, integrity, and mentorship. Our journey began when he was my high school history teacher, and later, we became colleagues when I served as an assistant principal and principal at the school where he excelled as a teacher, head football coach, and athletic director. Our professional paths continued to intertwine as system-level administrators, where his honesty, dependability, and relatability made him a trusted ally. Even after his initial retirement, when I sought someone to spearhead an Educators in Training program, David didn’t hesitate to step up, sharing his pedagogical expertise to inspire the next generation of educators. Now retired again, he remains a tremendous community partner in his role as a WoodmenLife Field Representative, continuing to serve others with the same dedication and care that have defined his career. His unwavering support, wisdom, and genuine concern for the well-being of those around him have been an invaluable source of inspiration, and I am profoundly grateful for his friendship and mentorship.
Ashley Catrett
A Worthy Educator
Ashley Catrett
A Worthy Educator
Aundrea & Kathy
Kathy Evans is a longtime colleague and friend who I value beyond words! We were friends before we became colleagues - and recently, we get to work side by side everyday. I was recently asked about a time when I felt I was treated restoratively. To describe that in 4 words (mostly), I stated - given space and respect, to begin again and start over.
One of the most memorable experiences I have with Kathy is our time at the NACRJ conference in Chicago a few years ago! We spent time learning and teaching about Restorative Justice in Education! We connected with amazing colleagues the whole time we were there and the experience was just an overall blast! Kathy embodies restoration in our work and in our friendship! Kathy thank you for valuing our relationship!
Aundrea Smiley
A Worthy Educator
One of the most memorable experiences I have with Kathy is our time at the NACRJ conference in Chicago a few years ago! We spent time learning and teaching about Restorative Justice in Education! We connected with amazing colleagues the whole time we were there and the experience was just an overall blast! Kathy embodies restoration in our work and in our friendship! Kathy thank you for valuing our relationship!
Aundrea Smiley
A Worthy Educator
Charle & Nikki
For two decades, Nikki Gerbes has been more than just a colleague—she has been my rock. Through the toughest moments, when personal struggles blurred into my work life, she was there, lifting me up with unwavering support. When I felt stuck or overwhelmed, she had my back without hesitation, stepping in when I needed a trusted friend to carry the weight. Her belief in me never wavered, even when my own confidence did. Nikki not only supported my ideas but championed them, encouraging me to take risks and pursue opportunities I might have otherwise ignored. Without her genuine love, encouragement, and steadfast belief in my abilities, I wouldn’t have had the courage to take the steps that led me to where I am today. She is the definition of a true friend and an invaluable ally in both life and work. How do we possibly thank the people in our life who have this kind of impact?
Charle Peck
A Worthy Educator
Charle Peck
A Worthy Educator
Dan & Kim
They say our lives are defined by small, pivotal moments, and my friendship, and Kim Austin is the ultimate proof. My first day as a college graduate in Pittsburgh, PA, began with an 8:00 AM Sunday phone call. It was Kim, inviting me to interview for a third-grade teaching position in Stafford, Virginia. I packed my station wagon, gathered the last pennies to my name, and headed south, unaware I was driving toward my future.
There are so many favorite stories with Kim. The greatest came in my first year teaching. She stopped by my classroom and asked if I could stop by her office during my planning time later in the day. Now for a first year teacher, that is a terrifying, gut wrenching feeling waiting to find out why she wanted me to stop by. Long story short, she was taking me to the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. This trip inspired us to create an entire social-emotional learning experience for the kids of our school. This was one of many incredible opportunities Kim granted me. Perhaps the greatest memory of all is of Kim simply showing up for me in tough times when she probably had a thousand other things to do.
Kate Waller Barrett was the school where I was destined to begin my career, and Kim Austin was the principal I had always dreamed of working for. By the time I walked out of her office, I had a job offer in hand. I drove to the Central Office to sign the papers that very afternoon. What began as a career opportunity blossomed into a lifelong friendship—one that fundamentally changed the course of my life.
From the second I stepped into Kate Waller Barrett Elementary, the warmth was palpable. Kim met me not with a formal handshake, but with a giant hug. During our conversation, she was intentional in her questioning and clearly driven by her vision for what was possible for the staff, students, and families of Barrett. It is often said that you can quickly understand a school’s culture by walking into the front office and speaking with the leadership; that couldn’t be more true.
Kim has been by my side as my greatest mentor and coach from the very first day she hired me fresh out of college. She has presented me with opportunities during all of those 13 years that have challenged me to become the person I am today. She's been there for my highest of highs and my lowest of lows. I am who I am today because of Kim Austin.
Kim, Thank you for always being there for me. From the very first day you called me on a Sunday morning the day after I graduated college to ask me to visit your school in Virginia to all these years later, you've always been there for me. You've encouraged me to always reach higher and to always stay true to who I am.
Thank you,
Dan Reichard
A Worthy Educator
There are so many favorite stories with Kim. The greatest came in my first year teaching. She stopped by my classroom and asked if I could stop by her office during my planning time later in the day. Now for a first year teacher, that is a terrifying, gut wrenching feeling waiting to find out why she wanted me to stop by. Long story short, she was taking me to the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. This trip inspired us to create an entire social-emotional learning experience for the kids of our school. This was one of many incredible opportunities Kim granted me. Perhaps the greatest memory of all is of Kim simply showing up for me in tough times when she probably had a thousand other things to do.
Kate Waller Barrett was the school where I was destined to begin my career, and Kim Austin was the principal I had always dreamed of working for. By the time I walked out of her office, I had a job offer in hand. I drove to the Central Office to sign the papers that very afternoon. What began as a career opportunity blossomed into a lifelong friendship—one that fundamentally changed the course of my life.
From the second I stepped into Kate Waller Barrett Elementary, the warmth was palpable. Kim met me not with a formal handshake, but with a giant hug. During our conversation, she was intentional in her questioning and clearly driven by her vision for what was possible for the staff, students, and families of Barrett. It is often said that you can quickly understand a school’s culture by walking into the front office and speaking with the leadership; that couldn’t be more true.
Kim has been by my side as my greatest mentor and coach from the very first day she hired me fresh out of college. She has presented me with opportunities during all of those 13 years that have challenged me to become the person I am today. She's been there for my highest of highs and my lowest of lows. I am who I am today because of Kim Austin.
Kim, Thank you for always being there for me. From the very first day you called me on a Sunday morning the day after I graduated college to ask me to visit your school in Virginia to all these years later, you've always been there for me. You've encouraged me to always reach higher and to always stay true to who I am.
Thank you,
Dan Reichard
A Worthy Educator
Derek & Susan
Susan McCray was the first person I hired when launching a new high school in Portland, Maine in the spring in 2005. Her presence exuded, without trying to, “I am a teacher who inspires.” She was also the first staff member I phoned last June when I made the heart-wrenching decision to step away from the principalship after 19 years. Just hearing her voice answer the phone was enough to make me breakdown and start blubbering. And my blubbering was enough for Susan to know exactly why I was calling. For 19 years, Susan was our visionkeeper, my visionkeeper. She embodied our school’s noblest aims; she believed fervently that her students - and our school - could do more than we thought possible - and then she worked with relentless skill and love to make it happen. Her bold faith in humanity pushed me to be a better leader and sometimes, wisely, shoved me out of the way. During the rare times when Susan was down, my job was to remind her of who she was and what she had done - and will do once again. After collaborating on countless projects, rituals, events and student issues, we got to partner together in a new way this past fall. We co-taught some professional development for a high school in New Hampshire. It was a reminder that Susan is always someone you want in your sandbox: inventive, generous, fun and wise. And you’ll end up with one helluva sand castle, the most beautiful you’ve ever seen. Till her next one. I look forward to our next playdate together.
Derek Pierce
A Worthy Educator
Derek Pierce
A Worthy Educator
Doug & Anissa
The person that immediately comes to mind when asked to identify a longtime colleague whose friendship I value very much is my friend Anissa (Nessa) Brown-Dennis. We first met over 25 years ago when I was a brand-new music teacher and Nessa was an assistant principal in my school. Not only was she supportive of my work as a teacher, but also took the time encourage me to think about my future as an educator and the explore the possibility of pursuing leadership positions. When she took on a principalship, she intentionally and thoughtfully engaged me with increasingly intense leadership opportunities with which she provided highly effective coaching and feedback. Nessa has a wonderfully unique way of challenging me to do things I think I can’t do while simultaneously giving me the confidence and inspiration to actually do them. Despite moving into a demanding cabinet-level position in another school system, Nessa continued to connect and inspire, which helped me to enjoy a middle school principalship and my current position as an executive director. Just recently, something happened that I could never have expected. Nessa “retired” and came back to my school system as a specialist in the central office. Folks new to a central office position are automatically given a mentor. Imagine how surprised we both were when we found out that I was assigned as HER mentor!! My mentor now mentors me through the eyes of a mentee and I am just as challenged and inspired now as I was some 25 years ago. Thanks, Nessa!
Doug Elmendorf
A Worthy Educator
Doug Elmendorf
A Worthy Educator
Gretchen & Vicki
Vicki Bautista, a former student, colleague, and now collaborator, is a story of the student becoming the teacher in life. I met Vicki when she was a doctoral student in a class I was teaching. Over time, we found common interests and academic pursuits that gave us a chance to work together, travel to present at conferences together, and lean on each other for professional advice and support. If you’ve ever traveled with a work colleague, you spend so much time together that you get to know each other in strange circumstances – from riding in an Uber on unknown streets to sitting in restaurants you’ll never remember the name to and waiting endless hours in airports together. During these travels I began to see the glimmers that make Vicki one of my most valuable colleagues and friends – her brutal honesty, her willingness to cheerlead me through times of self-doubt, and her fearless spirit. If you meet Vicki, you’ll recognize her as one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet – and she is. She’s kind, caring, and you matter to her. She’s been like that since the first day I met her, even through the times when my stubbornness and independence has challenged her patience. Most importantly, Vicki has taught me that even ‘work’ can be a deeply human experience. She has allowed me, nay, expected me, to just be me – and in a world where we climb ladders to build our resumes or find ways to stand out in a crowd, Vicki has taught me that being me is enough. She’s taught me to be kind to myself, to learn from my mistakes, and to build on a hopeful future. It goes without saying that I hope everyone can find a Vicki in their professional and personal lives.
Gretchen Oltman
A Worthy Educator
Gretchen Oltman
A Worthy Educator
Heather & Janice
Janice Bradley is a trusted friend, a leader, an inspiration, and a sister. She first came into my life about thirteen years ago through the Learning Forward Foundation. Her brilliant mind and skill as a researcher and writer, coupled with her open-minded, compassionate, welcoming spirit drew me to her immediately. Collegial conversations evolved into a deep, lasting relationship that is a cornerstone of my personal and professional lives.
I deeply admire her for so many reasons, it is a challenge to capture them all. Here are just a few ways that she has been my North Star, my trusted confidant, my coach, and my friend:
★ She is a transformational leader who ensures that all voices and ideas are heard. In doing so, she lifts others up to greatness.
★ Janice is deeply curious and her growth mindset is inspiring.
★ Her sense of joy, love of learning, and belief in empowering others radiates in every interaction.
★ It is a rare gem to find someone like Janice who truly listens, asks thoughtful coaching questions, and provides resources and support.
★ Janice inspires me to dream big and believe in myself in ways that I had never imagined possible.
What began as a practical solution to coordinate our writing schedules has blossomed into one of the most cherished rituals of my life: Saturdays with Janice. We settle in with our coffees and connect, create, and cultivate our friendship during this sacred time. Sometimes we dive straight into our collaborative writing, building on ideas we've been texting back and forth all week. Other times we simply catch up, sharing the small victories and quiet struggles of our personal and professional lives with the kind of honesty that only true friendship allows.
Between our Saturday sessions, we maintain a constant thread of connection. She'll text me an uplifting image at just the moment I need encouragement, or I'll share a research article that sparks a "Yes! This is exactly what we've been thinking about!" response. We celebrate each other's wins … a successful presentation, a breakthrough with a struggling student in her school in Ogden, a moment of joy … while also holding space for the harder moments too. When I'm wrestling with a challenge, Janice asks those thoughtful coaching questions that help me see my own path forward. When she's processing something difficult, I offer the same listening ear and steady presence she's modeled for me countless times. We also love to surprise each other with books, cards, and care packages to brighten each others’ days.
Our Saturdays are more than just productive writing sessions; they're a living example of what warm, supportive, healthy educator relationships can be. They represent a net of support, collaboration, intellectual growth, and care…a space where collective brilliance emerges not in spite of our friendship, but because of it. These Saturdays remind me that I'm never alone, and that some of the most transformative learning happens not in classrooms or conference rooms, but in the generous, curious, joy-filled space between two friends who believe in each other's potential.
Our relationship has evolved to the place where we are writing together, and it is such a treat to spend time co-creating and cultivating a space of hope and collective brilliance to share with others. Having Janice in my life has brought immeasurable joy to life’s journey. Whenever I count my blessings or focus on gratitude, the gift of her immediately comes to mind. I am eternally grateful for her support, kindness, brilliance, collaboration, and positive energy. Janice lights up every room.
My fervent wish is that everyone can find their Janice, and be invited into a relationship that epitomizes the connection in this quote from Brené Brown, enabling them to thrive and reach the potential beyond their wildest dreams.
Heather Lageman
A Worthy Educator
I deeply admire her for so many reasons, it is a challenge to capture them all. Here are just a few ways that she has been my North Star, my trusted confidant, my coach, and my friend:
★ She is a transformational leader who ensures that all voices and ideas are heard. In doing so, she lifts others up to greatness.
★ Janice is deeply curious and her growth mindset is inspiring.
★ Her sense of joy, love of learning, and belief in empowering others radiates in every interaction.
★ It is a rare gem to find someone like Janice who truly listens, asks thoughtful coaching questions, and provides resources and support.
★ Janice inspires me to dream big and believe in myself in ways that I had never imagined possible.
What began as a practical solution to coordinate our writing schedules has blossomed into one of the most cherished rituals of my life: Saturdays with Janice. We settle in with our coffees and connect, create, and cultivate our friendship during this sacred time. Sometimes we dive straight into our collaborative writing, building on ideas we've been texting back and forth all week. Other times we simply catch up, sharing the small victories and quiet struggles of our personal and professional lives with the kind of honesty that only true friendship allows.
Between our Saturday sessions, we maintain a constant thread of connection. She'll text me an uplifting image at just the moment I need encouragement, or I'll share a research article that sparks a "Yes! This is exactly what we've been thinking about!" response. We celebrate each other's wins … a successful presentation, a breakthrough with a struggling student in her school in Ogden, a moment of joy … while also holding space for the harder moments too. When I'm wrestling with a challenge, Janice asks those thoughtful coaching questions that help me see my own path forward. When she's processing something difficult, I offer the same listening ear and steady presence she's modeled for me countless times. We also love to surprise each other with books, cards, and care packages to brighten each others’ days.
Our Saturdays are more than just productive writing sessions; they're a living example of what warm, supportive, healthy educator relationships can be. They represent a net of support, collaboration, intellectual growth, and care…a space where collective brilliance emerges not in spite of our friendship, but because of it. These Saturdays remind me that I'm never alone, and that some of the most transformative learning happens not in classrooms or conference rooms, but in the generous, curious, joy-filled space between two friends who believe in each other's potential.
Our relationship has evolved to the place where we are writing together, and it is such a treat to spend time co-creating and cultivating a space of hope and collective brilliance to share with others. Having Janice in my life has brought immeasurable joy to life’s journey. Whenever I count my blessings or focus on gratitude, the gift of her immediately comes to mind. I am eternally grateful for her support, kindness, brilliance, collaboration, and positive energy. Janice lights up every room.
My fervent wish is that everyone can find their Janice, and be invited into a relationship that epitomizes the connection in this quote from Brené Brown, enabling them to thrive and reach the potential beyond their wildest dreams.
Heather Lageman
A Worthy Educator
Heather & Walter
Heather: Here’s to Walter McKenzie - my mentor, my coach, my teacher, my colleague but most of all my treasured friend. It has been a joy to watch so many people and organizations thrive under his leadership. Walter’s strength of character, integrity and honesty, and the ability to bring people together is legendary. He personifies the concept of leader - leading from the heart with a focus that is clear and yields great results by listening and truly hearing what people are saying and engaging them in the process. His passion is contagious and his authenticity is greatly appreciated.
I admire Walter’s conscientious and determined leadership that takes every group he leads to a higher level of organization and effectiveness. Walter sets a standard that inspires and guides everyone he collaborates with. I am filled with gratitude that he is always there for me, and so many others, with his gentle patience and persistent commitment to help everyone find our way forward.
Walter: I am so grateful for Heather in so many ways! Over the years, she keeps popping up on my radar time and again. She always shows up with energy and ideas and enthusiasm ready to collaborate and make a difference, and in a world where so many people have an ask, she always arrives ready to contribute.
We first crossed paths when she was leading our Maryland ASCD affiliate back in the twenty-teens. She was already well-established in a leadership capacity with a number of education associations in Maryland, not to mention serving as a district leader in one of the largest school districts in the state. Yet she presents with such humility and willingness to do the work, one would never guess she is such a connected, high-powered administrator.
Her presence is engaging. I remember bringing her in to headquarters with other affiliate leaders from around the country for a day of planning and networking. For all of the energy the group brought to us that day, Heather particularly had a command of the room, not by authority or attitude, but by sheer willingness to explore possibilities and draw everyone into the conversation. Her enthusiasm is infectious; it's her calling card, and everyone who knows her finds her optimism contagious.
As I launched The Worthy Educator and welcomed so many wonderful people to join in building the community, no moment stands out more to me than when Heather popped up once again with a new idea promoting social-emotional learning for educator professional development: xSELeratED. I only had to listen for five minutes and I was sold. Honestly? I needed no convincing. Our values are so aligned and our history is so replete with stories of collaboration and impact, anytime Heather offers, it's a no-brainer to accept!
I relish our ongoing edufriendship, which is now generating new opportunities we aren't even able to imagine until they present themselves. But, hey, that's what happens when you bring together good people with big hearts, big ideas and the idealism to ask, "Why not?" Thank you, Heather, for being your authentic self. You make such a difference just being YOU!
Heather: It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the evolution of Walter’s leadership in The Worthy Educator. It exemplifies his core values, and resonates with so many educators and leaders. The space that has been created is a haven for heart-filled, servant leaders who seek to grow, learn and connect. With this amazing group and Walter’s creativity and determination, anything is possible!
Thank you, Walter, for offering me many opportunities to learn, grow and thrive. It is a joy being part of your community of learners. You have introduced me to so many new ideas, resources, and people. The confidence you instill has encouraged me to "Go for it!" and the wonderful opportunities you have shared have expanded my life. All the while, you encouraged me when I needed it, challenged me at the right times, invited me to learn new things, and inspired me with your wisdom, wit, intelligence, strength and patience. I am so grateful for the impact you've made in my life.
Heather Lageman & Walter McKenzie
Worthy Educators
I admire Walter’s conscientious and determined leadership that takes every group he leads to a higher level of organization and effectiveness. Walter sets a standard that inspires and guides everyone he collaborates with. I am filled with gratitude that he is always there for me, and so many others, with his gentle patience and persistent commitment to help everyone find our way forward.
Walter: I am so grateful for Heather in so many ways! Over the years, she keeps popping up on my radar time and again. She always shows up with energy and ideas and enthusiasm ready to collaborate and make a difference, and in a world where so many people have an ask, she always arrives ready to contribute.
We first crossed paths when she was leading our Maryland ASCD affiliate back in the twenty-teens. She was already well-established in a leadership capacity with a number of education associations in Maryland, not to mention serving as a district leader in one of the largest school districts in the state. Yet she presents with such humility and willingness to do the work, one would never guess she is such a connected, high-powered administrator.
Her presence is engaging. I remember bringing her in to headquarters with other affiliate leaders from around the country for a day of planning and networking. For all of the energy the group brought to us that day, Heather particularly had a command of the room, not by authority or attitude, but by sheer willingness to explore possibilities and draw everyone into the conversation. Her enthusiasm is infectious; it's her calling card, and everyone who knows her finds her optimism contagious.
As I launched The Worthy Educator and welcomed so many wonderful people to join in building the community, no moment stands out more to me than when Heather popped up once again with a new idea promoting social-emotional learning for educator professional development: xSELeratED. I only had to listen for five minutes and I was sold. Honestly? I needed no convincing. Our values are so aligned and our history is so replete with stories of collaboration and impact, anytime Heather offers, it's a no-brainer to accept!
I relish our ongoing edufriendship, which is now generating new opportunities we aren't even able to imagine until they present themselves. But, hey, that's what happens when you bring together good people with big hearts, big ideas and the idealism to ask, "Why not?" Thank you, Heather, for being your authentic self. You make such a difference just being YOU!
Heather: It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the evolution of Walter’s leadership in The Worthy Educator. It exemplifies his core values, and resonates with so many educators and leaders. The space that has been created is a haven for heart-filled, servant leaders who seek to grow, learn and connect. With this amazing group and Walter’s creativity and determination, anything is possible!
Thank you, Walter, for offering me many opportunities to learn, grow and thrive. It is a joy being part of your community of learners. You have introduced me to so many new ideas, resources, and people. The confidence you instill has encouraged me to "Go for it!" and the wonderful opportunities you have shared have expanded my life. All the while, you encouraged me when I needed it, challenged me at the right times, invited me to learn new things, and inspired me with your wisdom, wit, intelligence, strength and patience. I am so grateful for the impact you've made in my life.
Heather Lageman & Walter McKenzie
Worthy Educators
Javeria & Purvi
I have known Purvi Parekh for 5 years and we became online friends during covid 19 when it just started. She lifts me up, motivates me, encourages me. We have a fantastic relationship and guess what she is from India and I am from Pakistan. She shared a lot of PD opportunities with me and helped me become a better person and better professional.
Oh! It’s not exactly a story but a wish…I am single and she has made me promise that whoever I will get married she will be my bridesmaid and there is another funny thing that for the past 2/3 years I am trying to get into a top US university but somehow something happens every time and I don’t end up sending my application. Purvi keeps telling me that it’s happening because the destiny wants us to be together in that university in the same year as she wants to enroll there too. Let’s see!
Purvi you are a gem of a person. Thank you for being my only e-best friend. I know that you are proud of this title so it looks like that you will remain the only e-bestie!
Javeria Rana
A Worthy Educator
Oh! It’s not exactly a story but a wish…I am single and she has made me promise that whoever I will get married she will be my bridesmaid and there is another funny thing that for the past 2/3 years I am trying to get into a top US university but somehow something happens every time and I don’t end up sending my application. Purvi keeps telling me that it’s happening because the destiny wants us to be together in that university in the same year as she wants to enroll there too. Let’s see!
Purvi you are a gem of a person. Thank you for being my only e-best friend. I know that you are proud of this title so it looks like that you will remain the only e-bestie!
Javeria Rana
A Worthy Educator
Jill & Kathy
Kath Rivadeneira and I met in teacher's college at Brock University, (St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada). Even though we have been miles apart ever since (I live in Ontario and she is in Florida), we stay in touch regularly. We have called each other many times to share our challenges within our careers as teachers. Sometimes we have offered each other an empathetic listening ear, sometimes strategies to solve problems, sometimes we share celebrations, sometimes we share our frustrations with the beliefs and limitations within education and sometimes we share our hopes and dreams for the future of our education system.
Over our thirty-year friendship, I remember countless conversations where we shared our heartbreak and frustration with the increasing rigidity in education — the expanding job descriptions, the pressures, and the slow erosion of humanity as rules and policies began to outweigh individual human needs in learning spaces. We spoke often about what education could be instead: places of safety, curiosity, compassion, and dignity for both children and teachers.
We reflected on the way we watched kindergarten students skip into school with joy, only to see that lightness slowly replaced by heavy shoulders and quiet resignation just a few short years later — where skipping seemed reserved for Friday afternoons. We taught them that.
Those conversations didn’t feel like venting; they felt like visioning. They reminded me that I wasn’t “too soft” for the system — I was simply human in a system that had never fully learned how to hold humanity at its centre. A system that too often values compliance over curiosity, conformity over self-reflection, and productivity over presence — forgetting that we are not factories producing compliant workers, but communities entrusted with nurturing the intrinsic love of learning and the diverse gifts the next generation has come here to offer the world.
During our countless moments of laughter as well as a few tears, I am often reminded of the importance of having a dear friend to remind us that we are not alone in our struggles as well as recognize all that we do as educators to make the world a better place for our students and our school communities!
Jill McPherson
A Worthy Educator
Over our thirty-year friendship, I remember countless conversations where we shared our heartbreak and frustration with the increasing rigidity in education — the expanding job descriptions, the pressures, and the slow erosion of humanity as rules and policies began to outweigh individual human needs in learning spaces. We spoke often about what education could be instead: places of safety, curiosity, compassion, and dignity for both children and teachers.
We reflected on the way we watched kindergarten students skip into school with joy, only to see that lightness slowly replaced by heavy shoulders and quiet resignation just a few short years later — where skipping seemed reserved for Friday afternoons. We taught them that.
Those conversations didn’t feel like venting; they felt like visioning. They reminded me that I wasn’t “too soft” for the system — I was simply human in a system that had never fully learned how to hold humanity at its centre. A system that too often values compliance over curiosity, conformity over self-reflection, and productivity over presence — forgetting that we are not factories producing compliant workers, but communities entrusted with nurturing the intrinsic love of learning and the diverse gifts the next generation has come here to offer the world.
During our countless moments of laughter as well as a few tears, I am often reminded of the importance of having a dear friend to remind us that we are not alone in our struggles as well as recognize all that we do as educators to make the world a better place for our students and our school communities!
Jill McPherson
A Worthy Educator
Kelly & Darlene
I’ve known Darlene Breaux for ten years. She’s more than just a friend and confidante; she’s been an incredible mentor and a true changemaker in the lives of so many. I truly appreciate being able to seek her advice, knowing that it comes from a place of experience and genuine care. It's amazing how often she's spot on with her insights! I truly appreciate all the incredible work you do to uplift and support your community. Your voice and efforts genuinely make a difference!
Kelly Brown
A Worthy Educator
Kelly Brown
A Worthy Educator
Kelly & Deirdre
I’ve known Deirdre Williams since 2017. In our professional journey, we've consistently uplifted each other by sharing our ideas and transforming them into meaningful actions. We just got some fantastic news! An offer to publish the book we wrote together has come our way, and it truly feels amazing after all the hard work we've poured into this project over the years. I truly appreciate her unwavering support and for being such an important part of my tribe in helping me discover the diamond within the rough. Thank you, Deirdre!
Kelly Brown
A Worthy Educator
Kelly Brown
A Worthy Educator
Kevin & Jesse
I have known Jesse Kraft since 2001 (24 years).
Jesse and I collaborated at a time when we were both grade 4 teachers in Fairfax County.
During my first year as a teacher in Virginia I wanted to connect with others outside of my building who were teaching the same grade level. I had read about the Teacher Collaboration opportunity and decided to pursue it. I was eager to learn and grow. The program paired me with Jesse Kraft who was also teaching grade 4 in the county. We set up a day to visit each other's classrooms. This allowed me to learn so much from a colleague, witness a master teacher, and make new goals as a teacher. Our relationship remained beyond this collaboration where we would check in on each other and where we were professionally and personally.
Thank you Jesse for the opportunity to share space and strategies, the time to collaborate, and learn from each other. This experience really had a major impact on me as a new teacher.
Kevin Simpson
A Worthy Educator
Jesse and I collaborated at a time when we were both grade 4 teachers in Fairfax County.
During my first year as a teacher in Virginia I wanted to connect with others outside of my building who were teaching the same grade level. I had read about the Teacher Collaboration opportunity and decided to pursue it. I was eager to learn and grow. The program paired me with Jesse Kraft who was also teaching grade 4 in the county. We set up a day to visit each other's classrooms. This allowed me to learn so much from a colleague, witness a master teacher, and make new goals as a teacher. Our relationship remained beyond this collaboration where we would check in on each other and where we were professionally and personally.
Thank you Jesse for the opportunity to share space and strategies, the time to collaborate, and learn from each other. This experience really had a major impact on me as a new teacher.
Kevin Simpson
A Worthy Educator
Kristin & Loralie
I’ve known Loralie Baum for 11 years. When I was a middle school Resource Specialist (Special Education), Loralie was a 6th grade ELA and Social Studies teacher. We shared students. I found her to be extremely collaborative, and she always made sure that students received their accommodations. She would ask questions as well as make suggestions, and always had feedback for students' IEPs. Years later, as a Special Education administrator, I had the opportunity to work with her again to ensure that students with extensive needs could be included into General Education classrooms. Loralie always stepped up to the plate and was patient and empathetic with students and parents. In addition to our professional relationship, Loralie is one of if not my best friend. She's been there to support me in the roughest times, and was my maid of honor at my wedding in 2016. I cannot think of a better teacher and friend to appreciate.
In January 2014, about six months into our working relationship, Loralie, myself, and a few other teachers from our school went to a professional development session in Portland, Oregon. This was truly the trip where we bonded and solidified our friendship. After the PD session a group of five teachers were going into the city center to spend an extra two nights in Portland downtown to explore. This is before the days of Lyft XL or Uber X. We called a local cab company asking for a minivan to accommodate us and our luggage. When a Prius showed up we called the cab company back, and they told us the next van would be ready in two hours. We made a decision in the 25 degree Portland cold that I would ride in the trunk with the bags. Thankfully, we made it to our final destination safely.
One moment that always stands out to me happened years after that Portland trip, when we were working together to support the inclusion of a student with significant needs into a general education classroom. It was one of those situations where the logistics were complicated, the emotions in the room were high, and everyone involved, including educators and family members, was carrying understandable concerns. I remember watching Loralie intentionally slow the conversation down, creating space for every voice to be heard. She asked thoughtful questions, clarified assumptions, and consistently redirected the discussion back to the student as a whole human being rather than a list of services or challenges.
What made that moment especially powerful was her unwavering belief that inclusion works best when it is built collectively. She modeled collaboration by valuing input from general and special educators equally, honoring family expertise, and reminding the team that shared responsibility leads to shared success. After the meeting, when I admitted how heavy the responsibility felt, she reminded me that inclusion is not about perfection but about commitment, trust, and showing up together for students. That moment captured who Loralie is to me: a deeply collaborative professional, a champion for inclusive practices, and a friend who leads with both courage and compassion.
Loralie, thank you for being my #edufriend and so much more! I am so glad our paths crossed at Parkside more than a decade ago. You continuously inspire me through your efforts to ensure that all students feel welcome and included in your classroom. You go above and beyond, planning fun and interactive lessons, hosting the LEGO club at your school, and serving as an instructional leader and model. I'm so grateful we've been able to share so many wonderful memories together, from Disney to Salem, Delaware, the rodeo, and even to Narita, Japan! You're the Rose to my Dorothy, and I love you!
Dr. Kristin Vogel-Campbell
A Worthy Educator
In January 2014, about six months into our working relationship, Loralie, myself, and a few other teachers from our school went to a professional development session in Portland, Oregon. This was truly the trip where we bonded and solidified our friendship. After the PD session a group of five teachers were going into the city center to spend an extra two nights in Portland downtown to explore. This is before the days of Lyft XL or Uber X. We called a local cab company asking for a minivan to accommodate us and our luggage. When a Prius showed up we called the cab company back, and they told us the next van would be ready in two hours. We made a decision in the 25 degree Portland cold that I would ride in the trunk with the bags. Thankfully, we made it to our final destination safely.
One moment that always stands out to me happened years after that Portland trip, when we were working together to support the inclusion of a student with significant needs into a general education classroom. It was one of those situations where the logistics were complicated, the emotions in the room were high, and everyone involved, including educators and family members, was carrying understandable concerns. I remember watching Loralie intentionally slow the conversation down, creating space for every voice to be heard. She asked thoughtful questions, clarified assumptions, and consistently redirected the discussion back to the student as a whole human being rather than a list of services or challenges.
What made that moment especially powerful was her unwavering belief that inclusion works best when it is built collectively. She modeled collaboration by valuing input from general and special educators equally, honoring family expertise, and reminding the team that shared responsibility leads to shared success. After the meeting, when I admitted how heavy the responsibility felt, she reminded me that inclusion is not about perfection but about commitment, trust, and showing up together for students. That moment captured who Loralie is to me: a deeply collaborative professional, a champion for inclusive practices, and a friend who leads with both courage and compassion.
Loralie, thank you for being my #edufriend and so much more! I am so glad our paths crossed at Parkside more than a decade ago. You continuously inspire me through your efforts to ensure that all students feel welcome and included in your classroom. You go above and beyond, planning fun and interactive lessons, hosting the LEGO club at your school, and serving as an instructional leader and model. I'm so grateful we've been able to share so many wonderful memories together, from Disney to Salem, Delaware, the rodeo, and even to Narita, Japan! You're the Rose to my Dorothy, and I love you!
Dr. Kristin Vogel-Campbell
A Worthy Educator
Kwame & Nikki
In 2011, I was assigned to teach sixth-grade math and science, a position I would end up holding throughout the duration of my tenure at Khepera. My grade partner was a woman who would eventually become a major influence in my young career. Her name was Nichole Willoughby (now Polk), but she was affectionately referred to as Sister Nikki by the staff and students. Nikki was a veteran teacher who had been teaching in the school system for about 15 years so she had a wealth of experience. Born and raised in Philly, Nikki knew how to connect with the students and could relate to the personal struggles that they were going through.
Even though I had been living in Philly for the greater part of a decade at that point, I still felt like an outsider at times and believed that there was so much I needed to learn about what it was like to be a child growing up in a city as rough as Philly. Thankfully, Nikki was able to provide that perspective and reach the students in ways that I knew I couldn't. From day one, we had a special connection. I embraced her as my big sister and she, in turn, embraced me as her little brother. I knew immediately that she would be there for me through thick and thin.
Stylistically, Nikki and I were very different teachers but we shared the same core principles as it related to making students take full ownership of their learning. Nikki just had an intimidating presence that scared many of the students. She rarely smiled or joked around with them. Even though some of the students found her annoying, they all respected her because they knew, deep down inside, she cared about them and would push them to be great. She ran a tight ship, had very high expectations for her students and made sure that all of them held themselves accountable for their actions. Simply put, it was strictly business every time you entered Sister Nikki's classroom.
My teaching style was definitely more on the conservative side. Naturally, I have a mild-mannered-and-reserved personality. I never hesitated to take a little bit of time out of class to crack a joke or do something silly just to make my students laugh. I just loved to smile so I couldn’t imagine myself going an entire school day without showing my teeth at least one time. My goal was always to create a fun classroom atmosphere so that my students could stay actively engaged in the learning process. In doing that, I made it clear to students that there was an imaginary line that they could not cross.
Like Nikki, I developed a classroom culture where failure was not an option and students had to embrace the challenge of taking full responsibility for their education. In essence, Nikki and I had a "good cop-bad cop" dynamic with the students. There were days where the students needed a kick in the behind from Nikki, but there were also days where the kids needed a pat on the back from myself. When necessary, there were times where the roles were reversed. The two of us collectively gave the students the best of both worlds. As different as we were, we always maintained a united front in the presence of the students. The students could not do anything to pit the two of us against each other. Our bond was inseparable and the students saw that.
Outside of the classroom, Nikki was really down-to-earth and very sweet. What I appreciated most about Nikki was that she always advocated for me. She never overstepped her boundaries. She gave me the space to be a person of authority within my own classroom. She had the utmost confidence in my ability to manage the students and provide quality instruction to them. Considering how tumultuously things ended at my previous school, and the obstacles I had to endure over the previous summer, it was important that I had her support and vote of confidence.
Nikki's influence on me went beyond the classroom. Whenever I was going through personal issues, she was my sounding board and I would end up being the same for her. She was a single mother raising two teenage daughters and going to school to obtain her principal certification at the same time. Being a parent of two young boys now, I know how hard it is to balance my professional responsibilities with my parental obligations. I can only imagine how difficult it was for Nikki to get out of her bed and still have the drive to come to work everyday. Her ability to seamlessly balance her roles as teacher and parent was just incredible to watch! It made me admire her even more.
Throughout the year, the two of us would spend our breaks together and go to a nearby diner just a few blocks up the street from the school to get breakfast. During those breaks, we would just chat it up and vent to each other about our issues. She would talk about her daughters, her aspirations of becoming a principal, and any other personal issues that were bothering her. In turn, I would share with her some of the most intimate details of my personal life.
The more time that we spent together, the more I began to realize that I needed to establish a healthy balance between my work and my personal life. Through our many breakfast conversations, Nikki made it clear to me that there was more to life than just teaching. As dedicated as I was to my students, I couldn't lose sight of the fact that self-care is the best care. If I didn't make my personal well-being a priority, how could I possibly be the best teacher to my students? As I would find out later in my teaching career, the ability to achieve the appropriate balance between work and your personal life is what separates the seasoned veteran teachers from the young overzealous teachers.
I was the latter in that situation. I had a chip on my shoulder from how things ended at my previous school and I was on a mission to prove to everyone that I was a legitimate teacher. I did this at the expense of my own health. It reached a point where practically all of my time and energy was devoted to the job. My first year at Khepera had its share of ups and downs but, in the midst of it all, Nikki was always by my side. Sadly, that would be the only year we worked together as Nikki transitioned to teach second grade the following school year.
I’m forever thankful for our time together and all the lessons I received from her. Although life has taken us down separate paths, I’ve still kept up with her journey. To see her finally achieve her dream of becoming a principal is the best part for me because it takes me back to those days when she was in the thick of the grind and dreaming about that reality. I saw the greatness then and I’m glad that an entire school now gets to thrive under her leadership now.
Kwame Sarfo-Mensah
A Worthy Educator
Even though I had been living in Philly for the greater part of a decade at that point, I still felt like an outsider at times and believed that there was so much I needed to learn about what it was like to be a child growing up in a city as rough as Philly. Thankfully, Nikki was able to provide that perspective and reach the students in ways that I knew I couldn't. From day one, we had a special connection. I embraced her as my big sister and she, in turn, embraced me as her little brother. I knew immediately that she would be there for me through thick and thin.
Stylistically, Nikki and I were very different teachers but we shared the same core principles as it related to making students take full ownership of their learning. Nikki just had an intimidating presence that scared many of the students. She rarely smiled or joked around with them. Even though some of the students found her annoying, they all respected her because they knew, deep down inside, she cared about them and would push them to be great. She ran a tight ship, had very high expectations for her students and made sure that all of them held themselves accountable for their actions. Simply put, it was strictly business every time you entered Sister Nikki's classroom.
My teaching style was definitely more on the conservative side. Naturally, I have a mild-mannered-and-reserved personality. I never hesitated to take a little bit of time out of class to crack a joke or do something silly just to make my students laugh. I just loved to smile so I couldn’t imagine myself going an entire school day without showing my teeth at least one time. My goal was always to create a fun classroom atmosphere so that my students could stay actively engaged in the learning process. In doing that, I made it clear to students that there was an imaginary line that they could not cross.
Like Nikki, I developed a classroom culture where failure was not an option and students had to embrace the challenge of taking full responsibility for their education. In essence, Nikki and I had a "good cop-bad cop" dynamic with the students. There were days where the students needed a kick in the behind from Nikki, but there were also days where the kids needed a pat on the back from myself. When necessary, there were times where the roles were reversed. The two of us collectively gave the students the best of both worlds. As different as we were, we always maintained a united front in the presence of the students. The students could not do anything to pit the two of us against each other. Our bond was inseparable and the students saw that.
Outside of the classroom, Nikki was really down-to-earth and very sweet. What I appreciated most about Nikki was that she always advocated for me. She never overstepped her boundaries. She gave me the space to be a person of authority within my own classroom. She had the utmost confidence in my ability to manage the students and provide quality instruction to them. Considering how tumultuously things ended at my previous school, and the obstacles I had to endure over the previous summer, it was important that I had her support and vote of confidence.
Nikki's influence on me went beyond the classroom. Whenever I was going through personal issues, she was my sounding board and I would end up being the same for her. She was a single mother raising two teenage daughters and going to school to obtain her principal certification at the same time. Being a parent of two young boys now, I know how hard it is to balance my professional responsibilities with my parental obligations. I can only imagine how difficult it was for Nikki to get out of her bed and still have the drive to come to work everyday. Her ability to seamlessly balance her roles as teacher and parent was just incredible to watch! It made me admire her even more.
Throughout the year, the two of us would spend our breaks together and go to a nearby diner just a few blocks up the street from the school to get breakfast. During those breaks, we would just chat it up and vent to each other about our issues. She would talk about her daughters, her aspirations of becoming a principal, and any other personal issues that were bothering her. In turn, I would share with her some of the most intimate details of my personal life.
The more time that we spent together, the more I began to realize that I needed to establish a healthy balance between my work and my personal life. Through our many breakfast conversations, Nikki made it clear to me that there was more to life than just teaching. As dedicated as I was to my students, I couldn't lose sight of the fact that self-care is the best care. If I didn't make my personal well-being a priority, how could I possibly be the best teacher to my students? As I would find out later in my teaching career, the ability to achieve the appropriate balance between work and your personal life is what separates the seasoned veteran teachers from the young overzealous teachers.
I was the latter in that situation. I had a chip on my shoulder from how things ended at my previous school and I was on a mission to prove to everyone that I was a legitimate teacher. I did this at the expense of my own health. It reached a point where practically all of my time and energy was devoted to the job. My first year at Khepera had its share of ups and downs but, in the midst of it all, Nikki was always by my side. Sadly, that would be the only year we worked together as Nikki transitioned to teach second grade the following school year.
I’m forever thankful for our time together and all the lessons I received from her. Although life has taken us down separate paths, I’ve still kept up with her journey. To see her finally achieve her dream of becoming a principal is the best part for me because it takes me back to those days when she was in the thick of the grind and dreaming about that reality. I saw the greatness then and I’m glad that an entire school now gets to thrive under her leadership now.
Kwame Sarfo-Mensah
A Worthy Educator
Lateshia & The Doctors of McClarin
Seldom in life we are given what I consider a once in a lifetime opportunity; an opportunity that means so to you that you can’t place monetary value on it. I was afforded such an opportunity.
Exactly twenty years after graduating from my alternative high school, I was offered a position as a turnaround leader to come back and lead a school improvement transformation initiative at that very same institution. Although I had spent several years prior working with transformation initiatives in alternative education settings, nothing could prepare me for the overwhelming flood of emotions that accompanied me on the way to school and home each day. I could not block the scenes of memories from the past that infiltrated my mind like infomercials establishing a case for the need for transformation.
My journey as a turnaround leader at my alternative school not only transformed my life professionally but personally as well. I was so blessed to have an amazing team which I affectionately called the “Dream Team” and I was the Lead Dream Builder. Interestingly my team was filled primarily of women. I had a unique school filled with women with doctorate degrees and a heart to make a difference. We were nicknamed the Doctors of McClarin.
With the help to this amazing team of women we were able to defy the odds moving the school that once considered a dropout factory with a graduation rate of 17% to within four years the schools graduation rate skyrocketing to 75 percent leading to the school being named a national model school.
The Doctors of McClarin are still at work defying the odds and making a difference “Once a Dream Builder Always a Dream Builder”. I am so grateful that I had the wonderful opportunity to serve alongside these amazing women. Today I speak their names: Dr. Daniel, Dr. P (Popoola), Dr. Williams, Dr. Fingall, Dr. Hudson and Dr. Blades.
No matter where we are in this world we make every effort to support and uplift each other. To provide advice or assistance. In the words of Michelle Obama, we should always have three friends in our lives- One who walks ahead who we look up to and follow; one who walks beside us every step of our journey; and then, one who we reach back for and bring along after we’ve cleared the way. This is at the heart of who the Doctors of McClarin are and who we have been for one another.
Lateshia Woodley
A Worthy Educator
Exactly twenty years after graduating from my alternative high school, I was offered a position as a turnaround leader to come back and lead a school improvement transformation initiative at that very same institution. Although I had spent several years prior working with transformation initiatives in alternative education settings, nothing could prepare me for the overwhelming flood of emotions that accompanied me on the way to school and home each day. I could not block the scenes of memories from the past that infiltrated my mind like infomercials establishing a case for the need for transformation.
My journey as a turnaround leader at my alternative school not only transformed my life professionally but personally as well. I was so blessed to have an amazing team which I affectionately called the “Dream Team” and I was the Lead Dream Builder. Interestingly my team was filled primarily of women. I had a unique school filled with women with doctorate degrees and a heart to make a difference. We were nicknamed the Doctors of McClarin.
With the help to this amazing team of women we were able to defy the odds moving the school that once considered a dropout factory with a graduation rate of 17% to within four years the schools graduation rate skyrocketing to 75 percent leading to the school being named a national model school.
The Doctors of McClarin are still at work defying the odds and making a difference “Once a Dream Builder Always a Dream Builder”. I am so grateful that I had the wonderful opportunity to serve alongside these amazing women. Today I speak their names: Dr. Daniel, Dr. P (Popoola), Dr. Williams, Dr. Fingall, Dr. Hudson and Dr. Blades.
No matter where we are in this world we make every effort to support and uplift each other. To provide advice or assistance. In the words of Michelle Obama, we should always have three friends in our lives- One who walks ahead who we look up to and follow; one who walks beside us every step of our journey; and then, one who we reach back for and bring along after we’ve cleared the way. This is at the heart of who the Doctors of McClarin are and who we have been for one another.
Lateshia Woodley
A Worthy Educator
Marie & Rich
“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” -Harvey S. Firestone
Richard Flaim, as assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and I had several conversations on the topic of professional development and the need to have a district-wide plan and process to lead staff to a better, more informed place in their careers. The central question that we asked ourselves was, “Why would staff want to follow us in pursuit of this initiative?” Our collective response was to lead educators into becoming their best professional selves! We realized that enacting this vision presented challenges but also created opportunities that would define who we and they are.
With tremendous support from Rich, we embarked on addressing the instructional and emotional needs of approximately 1100 professional staff in a Pre-K through grade 12 district. For me, this promotion was an honor and a challenge, an opportunity and a dream; professional learning was my passion.
For professionals, our purpose was anchored in a belief that all wanted to be the best teachers and leaders – that they wanted to become their personal and professional best selves. This involved knowing their content area and grade level curriculum as well as the accompanying effective strategies to deliver it in safe and emotionally healthy classrooms and schools.
Rich made the first steps possible, which created representative committees of teachers and principals at all grade levels who met with me to identify initial steps and needs. Identifying the best national presenters and in-district professionals was important and essential to the quality of this initiative. Much talent and knowledge existed within the district; staff were tapped to share and/or to lead conversations on effective practice. Learning was highlighted; requests from individuals were heard and accepted. All were participants on this journey.
Throughout this beginning, Rich approved schedules for planning and released-time for staff. The level of cooperation throughout the district was remarkable. The impact was audible and visible! Conversations in schools, teachers’ rooms, and at meetings changed and transitioned into discussions about practices and program materials that were effective and of quality. Principals conducted meetings differently and wanted to showcase their initiatives in a non-competitive tone and manner. District in-service days were planned by school staff with their principal; those days were viewed as valued and deemed important. Practitioners were being heard and were involved in planning their own learning that was continuous and enabled them to grow as professionals.
The culture and climate throughout the district changed!
Education is the profession of learning; educators are charged with developing minds and people. There is no greater privilege. Our ultimate design of meaningful ongoing professional learning was to increase student achievement. To realize this effect, it was also necessary to impact staff performance in positive ways. Together, Rich and I created a model that acknowledged talent, skill, knowledge, and self-worth toward a common responsibility and goal.
Throughout the year, updates on the initiative were presented at Board meetings. An unintended consequence occurred during a mid-year Board meeting when a Board member offered the comment, “. . . and don’t forget about us. How can we be involved in this process as well?”
Rich, thank you for the extraordinary experience of working with you. You have always represented a model of the finest principled-leadership anywhere. You were an excellent mentor – intelligent, caring, skillful, highly respected, thoughtful and focused. I admired your keen sense of knowing that always served to shape an idea into reality and often improved learning for me and for everyone. You led with mind and heart and wisdom, a rare combination. I am so honored to have followed you into the position of assistant superintendent, for your accomplishments served to advance the quality of education in Vineland, New Jersey and beyond. You have left your mark, and it is recognized and celebrated.
To realize one’s potential is the gift of a quality life. As I recount your impressive contributions to our profession over time, I hope that you, too, are in awe of the ways you chose to live out a life. I think that your journey really has been the destination. Thank you for all that you have shared with me. I will always treasure your professional conversations, friendship, delightful sense of humor, and unusual appreciation of the human spirit.
May “bests” Always be yours!
Sincerely,
Marie Adair
A Worthy Educator
Richard Flaim, as assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and I had several conversations on the topic of professional development and the need to have a district-wide plan and process to lead staff to a better, more informed place in their careers. The central question that we asked ourselves was, “Why would staff want to follow us in pursuit of this initiative?” Our collective response was to lead educators into becoming their best professional selves! We realized that enacting this vision presented challenges but also created opportunities that would define who we and they are.
With tremendous support from Rich, we embarked on addressing the instructional and emotional needs of approximately 1100 professional staff in a Pre-K through grade 12 district. For me, this promotion was an honor and a challenge, an opportunity and a dream; professional learning was my passion.
For professionals, our purpose was anchored in a belief that all wanted to be the best teachers and leaders – that they wanted to become their personal and professional best selves. This involved knowing their content area and grade level curriculum as well as the accompanying effective strategies to deliver it in safe and emotionally healthy classrooms and schools.
Rich made the first steps possible, which created representative committees of teachers and principals at all grade levels who met with me to identify initial steps and needs. Identifying the best national presenters and in-district professionals was important and essential to the quality of this initiative. Much talent and knowledge existed within the district; staff were tapped to share and/or to lead conversations on effective practice. Learning was highlighted; requests from individuals were heard and accepted. All were participants on this journey.
Throughout this beginning, Rich approved schedules for planning and released-time for staff. The level of cooperation throughout the district was remarkable. The impact was audible and visible! Conversations in schools, teachers’ rooms, and at meetings changed and transitioned into discussions about practices and program materials that were effective and of quality. Principals conducted meetings differently and wanted to showcase their initiatives in a non-competitive tone and manner. District in-service days were planned by school staff with their principal; those days were viewed as valued and deemed important. Practitioners were being heard and were involved in planning their own learning that was continuous and enabled them to grow as professionals.
The culture and climate throughout the district changed!
Education is the profession of learning; educators are charged with developing minds and people. There is no greater privilege. Our ultimate design of meaningful ongoing professional learning was to increase student achievement. To realize this effect, it was also necessary to impact staff performance in positive ways. Together, Rich and I created a model that acknowledged talent, skill, knowledge, and self-worth toward a common responsibility and goal.
Throughout the year, updates on the initiative were presented at Board meetings. An unintended consequence occurred during a mid-year Board meeting when a Board member offered the comment, “. . . and don’t forget about us. How can we be involved in this process as well?”
Rich, thank you for the extraordinary experience of working with you. You have always represented a model of the finest principled-leadership anywhere. You were an excellent mentor – intelligent, caring, skillful, highly respected, thoughtful and focused. I admired your keen sense of knowing that always served to shape an idea into reality and often improved learning for me and for everyone. You led with mind and heart and wisdom, a rare combination. I am so honored to have followed you into the position of assistant superintendent, for your accomplishments served to advance the quality of education in Vineland, New Jersey and beyond. You have left your mark, and it is recognized and celebrated.
To realize one’s potential is the gift of a quality life. As I recount your impressive contributions to our profession over time, I hope that you, too, are in awe of the ways you chose to live out a life. I think that your journey really has been the destination. Thank you for all that you have shared with me. I will always treasure your professional conversations, friendship, delightful sense of humor, and unusual appreciation of the human spirit.
May “bests” Always be yours!
Sincerely,
Marie Adair
A Worthy Educator
Mary & Denise
At 76, I am no longer surrounded by the amazing mentors who lifted me up throughout my professional life. Sadly, they have all passed. From graduate professors to professional association colleagues to fellow school administrators, they supported me, advised me, and celebrated with me. For the past twenty-one years, I have been employed by the NJ Principals & Supervisors Association and its professional learning non-profit, the Foundation for Educational Administration.
Prior to joining NJPSA/FEA as an employee, I was one of the first members of the newly created NJPSA in 1981. I recall first meeting Denise Hecht-Berger around the late-1990’s when she presented at our annual Principals’ Center for Educational Leadership which I attended as a principal. I was impressed by her passion, her knowledge, and her insights.
Several years later, she joined the staff of NJPSA/FEA as an NJPSA Assistant Executive Director and as the CFO of FEA. As a long-time NJPSA Board member, I had the opportunity to engage with Denise on a variety of initiatives. In 2004, I, too, joined the organization as an employee. Although I have had several titles at NJPSA/FEA, I have always been peripherally or directly involved with obtaining and directing grant-funded leadership projects.
Denise has become my partner on all these ventures. She is my sounding board, my creative influence, and my budget guru. Her perspective as a business woman and as a grandmother of ten adds a different voice to my musings. Together, we create magic (and successful applications and proposals)!
On a personal level, we elevate each other - despite the circumstances! Attending periodic dinners and Broadway shows along with indulging in spa dates has cemented our friendship. We have stood beside one another through life’s sorrows—the deaths of our parents, her divorce, the sudden loss of my best friend, the pandemic, and the current abominable state of our country.
We have also celebrated life’s joys: our children’s graduations and weddings, the births of her grandchildren, bar and bat mitzvahs, and her remarriage. We share reflective dinners with close friends and attend Broadway shows whenever possible (Denise is an honorary member of my group, the Broadway Broads).
After being single for several years, Denise ventured into online dating, only to experience one disappointment after another. By December 2015, she declared herself finished with dating altogether. We celebrated her decision to embrace single life in her newly purchased home in a 55+ community. Denise decorated the house with her signature eye for color and style, creating a warm, inviting space for friends and family. She also formed new friendships, especially during summer afternoons spent at the complex’s pool.
Then, in February 2016, Denise traveled to Florida to visit a close cousin. Upon her return, she surprised us all by announcing she had scheduled dates with two men she had met online. So much for sworn-off dating!
One date ended quickly. The man did not appreciate the time Denise devoted to her ten grandchildren—a dealbreaker. Denise is deeply committed to her growing brood, making regular visits to each family, her car trunk filled with games, crafts, and activities. As some of the grandchildren have grown older, those visits now include marathon shopping excursions.
The second man, Mel, was different. He embraced Denise’s devotion to her grandchildren and marveled at their number (he had only two). A few months later, Mel proposed. Denise accepted, asking only that they wait a year to deepen their relationship and plan their wedding. They married in June 2017, and we were thrilled Denise had found a kind, loving partner with whom to build a future. Their journey, however, has not been easy. Shortly after the wedding, Mel was diagnosed with stomach cancer and required immediate surgery. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and he has had no recurrence.
During the pandemic, we worried about the toll of isolation on the newly married couple, but it only strengthened their bond. More than two years ago, Mel began exhibiting troubling and inconsistent symptoms: memory loss, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal, extreme fatigue, and a shuffling gait. True to her nature, Denise became a relentless advocate, accompanying Mel to appointment after appointment. A neurologist conducted a thorough exam and firmly dismissed Denise’s suggestion of Parkinson’s disease, insisting Mel lacked the classic indicators. Visits followed with Mel’s oncologist, a geriatrician, a nutritionist, a cardiologist, and eight other specialists. Despite exhaustive efforts, no one could provide a diagnosis.
Years earlier, I had been treated by a neurologist specializing in post-polio syndrome (I had polio at age six). He later correctly identified statins as the cause of severe arm pain I was experiencing and advised me to stop them—relief followed quickly.
Knowing he also specialized in geriatric neurology, I urged Denise to bring Mel to see him. At their first visit, he strongly suspected Parkinson’s disease and ordered a DaTscan to confirm it. Last week, after more than two years of uncertainty and agita, Denise and Mel finally received a diagnosis: Parkinson’s. While devastating, the news brought relief. They now had an answer—and a condition that could be managed with medication and exercise.
Denise expressed deep gratitude for my intervention, and I am grateful that my dear friend can now focus her energy on helping Mel adapt and thrive.
For more than two decades, Denise and I have sustained a productive professional partnership that has yielded many successful ventures for our organizations. Equally important, our friendship continues to be one defined by trust, honesty, resilience, and shared joy—one that allows us to commiserate, confide, and celebrate, through all of life’s chapters. Our personalities and skill sets complement each other beautifully. I am so happy to have a forum to honor my valued and trusted “office sister,” Denise Hecht-Berger.
Mary Reece
A Worthy Educator
Prior to joining NJPSA/FEA as an employee, I was one of the first members of the newly created NJPSA in 1981. I recall first meeting Denise Hecht-Berger around the late-1990’s when she presented at our annual Principals’ Center for Educational Leadership which I attended as a principal. I was impressed by her passion, her knowledge, and her insights.
Several years later, she joined the staff of NJPSA/FEA as an NJPSA Assistant Executive Director and as the CFO of FEA. As a long-time NJPSA Board member, I had the opportunity to engage with Denise on a variety of initiatives. In 2004, I, too, joined the organization as an employee. Although I have had several titles at NJPSA/FEA, I have always been peripherally or directly involved with obtaining and directing grant-funded leadership projects.
Denise has become my partner on all these ventures. She is my sounding board, my creative influence, and my budget guru. Her perspective as a business woman and as a grandmother of ten adds a different voice to my musings. Together, we create magic (and successful applications and proposals)!
On a personal level, we elevate each other - despite the circumstances! Attending periodic dinners and Broadway shows along with indulging in spa dates has cemented our friendship. We have stood beside one another through life’s sorrows—the deaths of our parents, her divorce, the sudden loss of my best friend, the pandemic, and the current abominable state of our country.
We have also celebrated life’s joys: our children’s graduations and weddings, the births of her grandchildren, bar and bat mitzvahs, and her remarriage. We share reflective dinners with close friends and attend Broadway shows whenever possible (Denise is an honorary member of my group, the Broadway Broads).
After being single for several years, Denise ventured into online dating, only to experience one disappointment after another. By December 2015, she declared herself finished with dating altogether. We celebrated her decision to embrace single life in her newly purchased home in a 55+ community. Denise decorated the house with her signature eye for color and style, creating a warm, inviting space for friends and family. She also formed new friendships, especially during summer afternoons spent at the complex’s pool.
Then, in February 2016, Denise traveled to Florida to visit a close cousin. Upon her return, she surprised us all by announcing she had scheduled dates with two men she had met online. So much for sworn-off dating!
One date ended quickly. The man did not appreciate the time Denise devoted to her ten grandchildren—a dealbreaker. Denise is deeply committed to her growing brood, making regular visits to each family, her car trunk filled with games, crafts, and activities. As some of the grandchildren have grown older, those visits now include marathon shopping excursions.
The second man, Mel, was different. He embraced Denise’s devotion to her grandchildren and marveled at their number (he had only two). A few months later, Mel proposed. Denise accepted, asking only that they wait a year to deepen their relationship and plan their wedding. They married in June 2017, and we were thrilled Denise had found a kind, loving partner with whom to build a future. Their journey, however, has not been easy. Shortly after the wedding, Mel was diagnosed with stomach cancer and required immediate surgery. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and he has had no recurrence.
During the pandemic, we worried about the toll of isolation on the newly married couple, but it only strengthened their bond. More than two years ago, Mel began exhibiting troubling and inconsistent symptoms: memory loss, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal, extreme fatigue, and a shuffling gait. True to her nature, Denise became a relentless advocate, accompanying Mel to appointment after appointment. A neurologist conducted a thorough exam and firmly dismissed Denise’s suggestion of Parkinson’s disease, insisting Mel lacked the classic indicators. Visits followed with Mel’s oncologist, a geriatrician, a nutritionist, a cardiologist, and eight other specialists. Despite exhaustive efforts, no one could provide a diagnosis.
Years earlier, I had been treated by a neurologist specializing in post-polio syndrome (I had polio at age six). He later correctly identified statins as the cause of severe arm pain I was experiencing and advised me to stop them—relief followed quickly.
Knowing he also specialized in geriatric neurology, I urged Denise to bring Mel to see him. At their first visit, he strongly suspected Parkinson’s disease and ordered a DaTscan to confirm it. Last week, after more than two years of uncertainty and agita, Denise and Mel finally received a diagnosis: Parkinson’s. While devastating, the news brought relief. They now had an answer—and a condition that could be managed with medication and exercise.
Denise expressed deep gratitude for my intervention, and I am grateful that my dear friend can now focus her energy on helping Mel adapt and thrive.
For more than two decades, Denise and I have sustained a productive professional partnership that has yielded many successful ventures for our organizations. Equally important, our friendship continues to be one defined by trust, honesty, resilience, and shared joy—one that allows us to commiserate, confide, and celebrate, through all of life’s chapters. Our personalities and skill sets complement each other beautifully. I am so happy to have a forum to honor my valued and trusted “office sister,” Denise Hecht-Berger.
Mary Reece
A Worthy Educator
Michelle & Lance
I knew working for and with Lance Taylor was going to be amazing as we sat in the lounge of our school during Back to School night. It was my interview…I had just applied for the position that morning, and it was turning into more of a conversation. Thinking back, I have had only one other experience in which I felt completely at home, starting from the moment I pulled onto campus, and both times just felt RIGHT. There is no other way to express it. Moving from Florida to Tennessee and getting my teaching credentials took some time. Lance stuck with me. He encouraged me from the start to try new things. He saw that I wanted the library to be for our students, with not just books but ways in which they can express their creativity. So, I started a club called Girls Rule in Technology (GRIT). From there, things have taken off. I now have GRIT, LEGO Robotics, Writing Club, Citizen Science which is known as Bird Nerds, The Raider’s Gambit Chess Club, The Book Was Better, and Elementary Science Olympiad. Lance is my biggest supporter, always asking if I need things to do what I do, while also offering constructive advice on ways that I can improve. I know that if I feel stuck or am looking for ways to handle things I can go to him, if for nothing more than for him to listen as I say things out loud and then come up with my own solutions. (Am I the only one who does that?) He gets my weirdness and even read a shout-out from a student who called me weird–in a good way. He knew I would love it and I did. Everyone should have a boss and friend like I do. Thanks, Lance Taylor!
Michelle Howell
A Worthy Educator
Michelle Howell
A Worthy Educator
Mitch & Tammie
Tammie Schrader and I have known each other for 15 years. We first met at an organizational meeting to create a nonprofit to advance the use of games in education.
Tammie is a former rocket scientist with NASA, and we have worked together to spread joy, engagement, and motivation to teachers and students in STEM, STEAM, problem-based learning, and game-based learning. She has taught in the classroom, taught teachers, keynoted conferences, consulted on education legislation, been asked to speak at the White House, and run conferences. Tammie hosts the GameEd Games in Education podcast and is currently writing a book on Games and STEM.
Tammie sat through a trial run of my MindShifting classes in 2021, and then made them available to all educators in Washington State starting in 2022. She and I are co-teaching a course in Conflict and Collaboration in Education.
Together we led teams of educators through schools and universities in Finland (2022), Portugal (2023 and 2024), and, in November 2025, we will be leading a group to visit schools in India to learn about and share educational practices with Indian teachers and administrators.
I’ve learned so much from Tammie, and probably our strongest bond is that we both look at the world through the eyes of a seven year old. Neither of us ever grew up.
Mitch Weisburgh
A Worthy Educator
Tammie is a former rocket scientist with NASA, and we have worked together to spread joy, engagement, and motivation to teachers and students in STEM, STEAM, problem-based learning, and game-based learning. She has taught in the classroom, taught teachers, keynoted conferences, consulted on education legislation, been asked to speak at the White House, and run conferences. Tammie hosts the GameEd Games in Education podcast and is currently writing a book on Games and STEM.
Tammie sat through a trial run of my MindShifting classes in 2021, and then made them available to all educators in Washington State starting in 2022. She and I are co-teaching a course in Conflict and Collaboration in Education.
Together we led teams of educators through schools and universities in Finland (2022), Portugal (2023 and 2024), and, in November 2025, we will be leading a group to visit schools in India to learn about and share educational practices with Indian teachers and administrators.
I’ve learned so much from Tammie, and probably our strongest bond is that we both look at the world through the eyes of a seven year old. Neither of us ever grew up.
Mitch Weisburgh
A Worthy Educator
Natalie & Aglaé
I have known Aglaé Perez for 19 years. She was assigned to me as my ESOL Aide during my first year of teaching. She basically rescued me at a time where I was bogged down with misinformation and "brand new teacher" abuse. She was the key that allowed me to always be able to reach my students no matter what, and together we did just that.
Somewhere between lesson planning, parenting, and late-night voice notes, our friendship leveled up into something I never could have predicted that first chaotic year. What started in the classroom grew into something fuller and richer, where the real magic lives now. I find myself lingering in the memories that still make me smile: students belting out Fergalicious to celebrate their growth; pushing desks to the side for a math relay review that sent them racing between whiteboards on opposite walls; the way students brought their cultures to school each day and quietly resisted demands to conform; and those side conversations with Aglaé to confirm that “Missy” was, indeed, a term of endearment, validated by the fact that students used it only with us and with other teachers they truly liked. These days, our deepest conversations often happen while binge-watching RuPaul's Drag Race and its many glorious cousins. We'll say, "Just one episode," and suddenly it's midnight, we're texting in all caps, and screaming with pride as one of our former students lights up the screen, confident, brilliant, unapologetic, and clearly destined to take over the world. Watching him shine is a reminder that we were never just teaching content; we were holding space for futures that are now boldly unfolding.
And then there's the avocado saga. For years, I judged Aglaé mercilessly for her obsession. The texture? Offensive. The devotion? Unnecessary. And yet, growth has a sense of humor. One bite turned into reluctant acceptance, then full-on love, and now I live with the quiet humility of knowing she was right all along. What hasn't changed is how she still grounds me through laughter, shared memories, watching our children grow up as cousins, and reminding me who I am when life gets loud. From ESOL aide to life translator, colleague to sister, here we are: cheering for our students on TV, debating avocados, and doing what we've always done best: showing up for each other and believing deeply in what's possible. Same love. Same gratitude. Just better snacks and better TV.
Gabbana, Where would I be without you? I’m almost certain I wouldn’t be an educator—or if I were, I wouldn’t have the same hope and joy for the profession that I do now. Your presence in my life transformed my perspective on education and the profound power of being a classroom teacher. All I ever wanted was to truly reach my students, and you helped me do that. After my first year of stumbling and finding my way, WE were awarded merit pay for the incredible gains our students achieved. I’ll never take full credit for that accomplishment, and one day, you’ll accept that you were just as significant—if not more so—than I was during that pivotal year. I’m so grateful for the friendship and sisterhood we’ve built and for the way our children are growing up as cousins. You’re the friend I never knew I needed, and I’ll always be thankful that you came into my life. Love you forever, Dolcé!
Natalie Odom Pough
A Worthy Educator
Somewhere between lesson planning, parenting, and late-night voice notes, our friendship leveled up into something I never could have predicted that first chaotic year. What started in the classroom grew into something fuller and richer, where the real magic lives now. I find myself lingering in the memories that still make me smile: students belting out Fergalicious to celebrate their growth; pushing desks to the side for a math relay review that sent them racing between whiteboards on opposite walls; the way students brought their cultures to school each day and quietly resisted demands to conform; and those side conversations with Aglaé to confirm that “Missy” was, indeed, a term of endearment, validated by the fact that students used it only with us and with other teachers they truly liked. These days, our deepest conversations often happen while binge-watching RuPaul's Drag Race and its many glorious cousins. We'll say, "Just one episode," and suddenly it's midnight, we're texting in all caps, and screaming with pride as one of our former students lights up the screen, confident, brilliant, unapologetic, and clearly destined to take over the world. Watching him shine is a reminder that we were never just teaching content; we were holding space for futures that are now boldly unfolding.
And then there's the avocado saga. For years, I judged Aglaé mercilessly for her obsession. The texture? Offensive. The devotion? Unnecessary. And yet, growth has a sense of humor. One bite turned into reluctant acceptance, then full-on love, and now I live with the quiet humility of knowing she was right all along. What hasn't changed is how she still grounds me through laughter, shared memories, watching our children grow up as cousins, and reminding me who I am when life gets loud. From ESOL aide to life translator, colleague to sister, here we are: cheering for our students on TV, debating avocados, and doing what we've always done best: showing up for each other and believing deeply in what's possible. Same love. Same gratitude. Just better snacks and better TV.
Gabbana, Where would I be without you? I’m almost certain I wouldn’t be an educator—or if I were, I wouldn’t have the same hope and joy for the profession that I do now. Your presence in my life transformed my perspective on education and the profound power of being a classroom teacher. All I ever wanted was to truly reach my students, and you helped me do that. After my first year of stumbling and finding my way, WE were awarded merit pay for the incredible gains our students achieved. I’ll never take full credit for that accomplishment, and one day, you’ll accept that you were just as significant—if not more so—than I was during that pivotal year. I’m so grateful for the friendship and sisterhood we’ve built and for the way our children are growing up as cousins. You’re the friend I never knew I needed, and I’ll always be thankful that you came into my life. Love you forever, Dolcé!
Natalie Odom Pough
A Worthy Educator
bottom of page