WE Leaders
Leading by doing.
Making a difference.
Well-established where they live and work,
expanding their influence nationally and globally!
View the press release here!
Armani Alexander
PLC Coach
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Tennessee
I am a strong advocate for education reform in the United States. My mission is to lead with excellence in school/education settings and create spaces for equity for all students. Previously, I taught 5th grade and I participated in the Memphis Teacher Residency program. I am a proud graduate of Morehouse College, Arkansas State and Union University.
Elizabeth Baisley
STEM Instructional Support Specialist
Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District
New York
I would change the education profession by fostering a culture that encourages and supports risk-taking among students, without the fear of failure, through creating progressive learning environments where students feel safe, challenged, and valued. As an instructional coach, trust and respect are essential to my success in this role.
Ryan Anthony Bell
Student Services Manager
Roanoke Higher Education Center
Virginia
Education has been and will continue to be the most powerful tool of redemption, reconciliation, and recompense we have as Black people. Using this tool, the person I admire most within the space of education continues to enhance the lives of so many children, families, and communities in these three vital ways, Dr. S. Dallas Dance.
Joshua Bing
Principal
Conway Middle School
Florida
Servant leadership is how I personify gratitude towards my team members while modeling the expectation that every aspect of our work in schools is important and valued. "Servanthood" is important to me, as it models a key concept for everyone in my building, and there is no job too small for the Principal to show the importance of serving the school community.
Isabel Bozada -Jones
Coordinator of Federal Programs/MTSS
Reynoldsburg City Schools
Ohio
I lead by serving, getting to know people and trying to truly understand where they are coming from, their passions, and their strengths. Then I work with them to facilitate a way they can lead to work towards our collective goals. I keep students at the center of every single decision, always reflecting and improving my education and leadership practice.
Danielle Brown
Middle School Math Teacher
Salem City Schools
Virginia
Servant leadership has always led me to believe that a leader should be in the trenches with their team. There is never a task that is beneath the leader just based on a title or ranking. I serve by checking in with colleagues to ensure they have what they need to feel supported and that they have an additional listening ear so we can problem-solve together.
Ramona Brown
K-3 Implementation Coordinator
Rollins Center for Language and Literacy
Georgia
I lead by determining the needs of students, families and teammates and advocating in the spaces where I have access. I seek to influence decisions that change student outcomes by engaging with internal and external stakeholders to solve problems of practice. Let's bring greater awareness to our collective power to improve life outcomes.
Cynthia Jacquet
Assistant Principal
Sierra High School
Colorado
The education profession needs to reinvest in its most valuable asset, the teachers, through fair compensation, expanded training and professional development, and by injecting empowerment and leadership opportunities to build teacher efficacy. My work around the culture has led administrators to adopt professional goals around belonging.
Nayoung Kim-Weaver
Cultural Wealth Practitioner
AIELOC
Denmark
I am mindful of white supremacy culture and intentional about dismantling that however I can. Having been trained as an equity facilitator multiple times, I make conscious decisions to acknowledge my privileges and make efficient use of my positionalities to provide liberating and radical leadership, as a lifelong reflector of my own journey.
Steve Lebel
District K-4 Curriculum Director
Golden Brook School
New Hampshire
It is time for educators to let go of systems of the past and embrace innovations for today’s students. I encourage collaboration to promote best practices and innovation in teaching and learning, advocating for high-quality education in New Hampshire, supporting policies and practices that promote student achievement.
Johnnie Marshall
Principal
Valdosta High School
Georgia
I focus on helping others cultivate their skills and talents. Part of my role is to build authentic relationships so that I know how to support my team best. People can depend on me to help them ideate, innovate, and navigate their way in achieving their goals. Seeing the excitement when individuals I collaborate with reach their goals or aspirations is rewarding.
Rama Ndiaye
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advocate
AIELOC
Senegal
Everyone who is part of education has something to offer to our learners and by centering our shared humanity we can collaborate more effectively and create an environment conducive to solve our social justice issues. I build meaningful relationships with historically marginalized colleagues, deeply getting to know my learners on a human level.
Donna Neary
English as New Language Specialist
Ooltewah Middle School
Tennessee
Servant leaders put the needs of others first and support the development of colleagues so they may perform at their highest level. Sharing power and seeking partnerships and collaborations with those both inside and outside the organization are hallmarks of the type of servant leadership I continue to aspire to be.
Bianca Neri
Teacher and PLC Coach
Singapore American School
Singapore
My role as a coach centers the needs and desires of my coachees. It is an honor to listen and facilitate their self-directed thinking as they discover new pathways to improve their teaching practice. Systems need to be more agile in the face of change in order to be responsive to the needs of teachers, leaders, students and families.
Kristina Pennell-Götze
Head of Drama and Film Department
Berlin Brandenburg International School
Germany
My simple definition, which is constantly evolving, of “servant leadership” is rooted in serving the needs of the community I am part of. It isn’t about savourism or serving out of ego or for praise, it is truly loving the community I am a part of, and serving the needs of the individuals in the community, moving together towards a shared goal.
Leah Pongratz
Lead Teacher
Washington County Public Schools
Maryland
I aim to serve teachers and students, helping them reach their fullest potential through collaborative efforts such as planning district-level or school-based professional learning and helping them to build capacity in leadership skills and strategies that can be implemented with teachers in their own buildings and with students in their classrooms.
Dan Reichard
Assistant Principal
Shrevewood Elementary School
Virginia
It is the supreme art of a leader to lift up and celebrate the strengths of students and staff to inspire and empower them to share their gifts with the world. Listening, learning, leading, and empowering a group of passionate and diverse educators requires an intentional effort to ensure all are celebrated for their strengths, centered around a collective vision.
Brandon Ross
Principal
Muller Road Middle School
South Carolina
Our profession should model the sincerest and purest form of servanthood. I oversee many areas of our school to include our freshman academy, athletics, student activities, school operations, our school safety program, and our classified staff so it’s easy to become inundated but I’m constantly reminded to put people before the work.
Shellon Samuels-White
Lecturer and Faculty Assessor
The MICO University College
Jamaica
Like most things in life, learning is most meaningful when it is contextual. In the same way, educational practices have to be contextual for it to be effective. Teaching and learning practices in Jamaica are often difficult due to varying challenges, and I work to bridge the gap and develop contextually relevant strategies while being on the cutting edge.
Adrienne Sanders
Assistant Principal
Gold Hill Elementary School
South Carolina
Servant leadership often places me in situations where parents and teachers must find the middle-ground. Therefore, I ensure all voices and perspectives are validated and understood despite any conflicts. Servant leadership is imperative as a school administrator and often increases the two-way support between parents and teachers.
Hanako Sawada
Elementary Music Teacher
Singapore American School
Singapore
The education profession must be concentrated with caring and well-resourced professionals who are experts of translating research to practice, student voice to policy, and resources to equitably accessible learning experiences. I serve as a facilitator who collaboratively works to elevate the strengths of our community.
Samantha Shane
Teacher
Morris County School of Technology
New Jersey
Being a leader means empowering others. In my work, I actively listen to what students and teachers are saying to make decisions. This is done through collecting data, hearing feedback, and engaging in reflection. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to develop leadership in others. Educators need more time to learn, plan, grade and support students.
Debbie Tannenbaum
School Based Technology Specialist
Fairfax County Public Schools
Virginia
The education profession today needs to adapt to a quickly changing world where the role of educators are changing and we need to prepare students for the skills they will need in the future. As a School Based Technology Specialist, I focus on building staff capacity using technology tools in a meaningful way and supporting my staff as they do so.
Apryl Taylor
Social Studies Program Specialist
Orange County Public Schools
Florida
Strategic communication and a “put me in coach” mentality encourages collaboration which then strengthens the community and increases innovation. Relinquishing authority in favor of compassionate persuasion is a strength of mine. I value the funds of knowledge of each stakeholder, and I consider the educator first in each decision I make.
Iyabo Tinubu
Dean of Students
International School of Beijing
China
I empower and support my community by cultivating a collaborative and inclusive approach, and meeting individuals where they are with empathy and understanding. Leading by example, I model how to integrate equitable practices into our curriculum and classrooms, building teachers' efficacy, and sharing resources to benefit the community.
Will Tragert
Head of Upper School
Cape Henry Collegiate
Virginia
Whether the actions are big or small, at its core, being a principal is about serving others. In order for a school to operate to its greatest potential all educators need to, in some respects, need to serve. Employing a willing and enthusiastic servant leadership mentality allows me to lead by example and I believe it allows my school be its best.
Monika Vereb
Principal
Herndon Middle School
Virginia
I look forward to being one of the next bold leaders to lead, influence, and inspire educators. I enjoy providing consistent and intentional professional learning for all staff, including leaders, to become the best instructionally focused professionals they can be. I wish to share the lessons I’ve learned with the educational community.
Davina Williams
Coordinator of Elementary Science
Portsmouth Public Schools
Virginia
​What drives my passion for education is equity. Many students face challenges that others may not, so embracing equity is not just a necessity, it’s a profound commitment to justice and opportunity. Every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves the chance to thrive and succeed. By focusing on equity, we ensure that each child has access to the resources, support, and encouragement they need to reach their fullest potential.