Heather & Walter: Best Friends Forever!

February is Heart Month at The Worthy Educator, honoring those special colleagues who make a difference in our lives and careers, celebrating how longterm, loyal, caring, nurturing, professional friendships enhance our experience as professionals!

Heather Lageman and Walter McKenzie pay tribute to one another:

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

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See our entire celebration of #edufriends and share your tribute to a special colleague or group of peers here so that we can honor you and them!