Dr. Johnnie Marshall (GA ’19) had many inspirational teachers growing up, but not one African American man. That’s one of the reasons he became an educator: “I wanted to be a beacon of light for young scholars, especially those who resembled me.”
For English teacher Jennifer Williams (LA ’19), success is making a meaningful connection with each student. “A great relationship is all the success I need,” she says. “With that, all else will follow.”
Brian Allman (WV ’19) spends a lot of time talking with his sixth graders about their interests outside of school. “I am genuinely interested in their lives, but I’m also looking for ways to work it into a social studies lesson,” he says. “They have to be able to connect to the material.”
The most important lessons in Brooke Lee’s English class are about perseverance: “Failing makes us overcome obstacles and try harder.”
Princess Francois (NY ’19) inspires students by sharing her own life experiences without hesitation. “I confronted and defeated many of the same challenges they face,” she says. “Not only did I survive, but I am thriving.”
Endless days in a lab with buckets of dead bugs drove Nathan Yaussy (OH ’19) from research science to teaching: “I realized that I needed people to talk to.”
Katie McQuone (CA ’19) originally planned to teach elementary school, but when a job opened up leading the Video Production Academy at her alma mater, the fit felt right. “High school students are on the verge of figuring out their whole life,” she says. “It’s so exciting to help them get on their way.”
Principal Brian Cox (WY ’19) believes middle schools need educators whose skills reach beyond their subject areas: “Teaching developmental behavior and coaching kids through an awkward phase of life requires the best and brightest.”
In addition to math and career skills, Nick Peruski (MI ’19) teaches resiliency: “Life is full of inevitable setbacks, but when my students encounter one, I hope they are able to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and move on.”
English teacher Steven Gamache (LA ’19) thrives in the toughest educational environments. He and his principal are on their second school turnaround: “We are changing the trajectory for thousands of kids.”
