Educator Contributors

Christy Lynn Anana, M.Ed., NBCT, RYT

Christy Lynn Anana is a National Board-certified school counselor, registered yoga teacher, and author of 3 books:   I Can Feel Better: A Tapping Story, and  A Finder of Lost Things, and  Five Best Days to Runaway. She is passionate about learning new ways to help people let go of stress and trauma. She uses yoga, mindfulness, tapping, EMDR, and Rainbowdance as ways to promote self-regulation, attachment, and competency. She is continuously looking for ways to help people do their best, make good friends, and have room in their bodies for happy feelings/thoughts. Christy was named 2016 Washington School Counselor of the Year.

Jacob Barry

Jake Barry, MSE, teaches middle school English in Elkhorn, Nebraska. He is a born-again educator, having left the teaching profession due to burnout and returning to the classroom a year later. With his reinvigorated passion, he also works with groups like NGEN (New Generation of Educators in Nebraska) and the Nebraska State Education Association to build a better culture and work environment for educators with a focus on early career educators. When he isn't teaching or advocating, he spends time with his family. He and his wife along with their 5 kids enjoy hiking, fishing, reading, playing games, and going on all the adventures life has to offer. To contact Jake, feel free to reach out at jmbarry13@gmail.com.

Rick Baxter

Rich Baxter is an elementary public school teacher in Toronto, Canada. Rich is an educator of 25 years, founder, speaker, artist, and advocate for the arts and entrepreneurship education in schools. His program The Bootstrapping Checklist, which fosters social entrepreneurship among students through an immersive, collaborative project-based learning initiative, was Shortlisted for the 2016 Teaching Delivery category at the Wharton QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards in December 2016 and again at this year's 2020 Reimagine Awards in the K-12 category!  https://bootstrappingchecklist.org/

 

 Tami Boeve

Tami is from Long Island, New York. She currently lives in a suburb outside of Memphis, TN and has three children ages 19, 18, and 14.  She attended Vanderbilt University where she graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education and Cognitive Studies. She received her M. Ed. in Reading and Literacy Education from Cappella University and is currently working on her M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from Austin Peay University. She taught for 12 years in various grade levels in K-8 schools in Tennessee and Wisconsin, and is currently serving as an Instructional Facilitator for Lakeland Municipal School System outside of Memphis, TN. Tami's email is tamiboeve@msn.com.

Jeffrey Donald

Jeffrey Donald is a passionate veteran educator, advocate for at-risk youth, certified E-RYT 500 yoga & meditation teacher and Reiki practitioner. Heavily rooted in the Yoga tradition, he has been teaching yoga since 2014. He is currently the Montgomery County Mindfulness Coordinator,  Y.O.G.A. for Youth teacher trainer, mentor and international retreat leader. Jeffrey has been featured on the PBS News Hour and publications such as the Washingtonian, and more. He has led retreats around the world to places such as Mexico and Belize. Jeffrey sits on the Board of Directors for several Yoga-based organizations.

Born in Visalia, CA, he currently lives and teaches in the DC metro area. Jeffrey is known for his creative and dynamic yoga classes, his ability to speak truths derived from sacred yogic philosophy and texts, and his honest & light hearted humor. He believes that the fundamental purpose of the practice is to connect with one’s self more deeply, as well as serve as a guide in one’s personal evolution. As an advocate for systemic & social change, Jeffrey is passionate about making these practices accessible, serving various bodies, ranging from school districts to historically underserved communities.

 Jessica Felin

 Jessica is a biology teacher in Pennsylvania. She began her career teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade general science in Connecticut before making the move back to PA to teach high school biology. She holds her Master's degree in teacher leadership and is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership. She is extremely passionate about education and believes in the potential of all students, focusing on helping students believe in themselves and helping them build skills to be successful in whatever life path they choose.

  Shondra Floyd

Shondra has a Master’s in Education with NYS dual certification in English Language Arts and Students with Disabilities at the secondary level, as well as recent certification in School Building Leadership and pending certification for School District Leadership. A Rochester native, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Professional & Technical Communications from Rochester Institute of Technology. She has over 20 years of experience of relationship management in both the public and private sector. A Microsoft Certified Educator, she leverages experience in strategic branding and IT to critically think about and address the knowledge and skills required for 21^st century teaching and learning. As an instructional coach, she promotes the power of being a reflective practitioner, and focuses on engaging students in a rigorous, relevant and responsive curriculum. She serves on the board for the Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence.

 Chandra Joseph-Lacet

Chandra has spent the last 26 years working in the field of education. She began her career in Higher Education working in various Student Affairs Departments. After 5 years in Higher Ed, Chandra decided to transition to K-12 education and began her teaching career as an Elementary School Teacher with the Boston Public Schools. In addition to working as an Elementary School Teacher, Chandra has also served as a Special Education Teacher, Literacy Coach, Special Education Coordinator and Assistant Principal. Currently, Chandra is a New Teacher Developer (NTD) with the Boston Public Schools. In this capacity, Chandra works with teachers and teacher mentors across the district to elevate instructional practices and create highly engaging, student-centered environments focused on strengthening student learning outcomes. 

Chandra firmly believes that just as every student deserves high-quality teachers, every teacher deserves high-quality coaching and support for continued growth and development. She is especially passionate about coaching and supporting teachers to develop self-care strategies and techniques. Chandra is the CEO of CJ Education Consulting Group, LLC and currently, is a co-host of "Real Talk, Real Time with Chandra and Gorgette", a weekly virtual event supporting teachers through the complexities of the changes in teaching and learning.

Chandra holds a B.A. in Academic Sociology from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY,  a Master’s Degree in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education from New York University and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from UMASS Boston. She also holds licenses in Elementary Education, Special Education, Reading, and has her Principal/Assistant Principal Administrator's license. Email Chandra: cjlacet@gmail.com

  Meredith McCullough

Meredith graduated from Linfield College in McMinnville, OR with English and Creative Writing degrees, along with her secondary teaching certification. She taught for three years at Henley High School in Oregon’s Klamath County School District before moving to Alaska to work in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. She worked for nine years at Kenai Central High School and is now a proud staff member of Kenai Alternative High School. She has been fortunate to have been chosen for several teaching awards, to have spoken at in-services and educational meetings, and to have served on district teams focusing on creating stronger educational opportunities for all students. She can be contacted at teachwithmrsmac@gmail.com<mailto:teachwithmrsmac@gmail.com

Melissa P

For me, teaching has never been about recognition, so writing a bio is challenging. For 29 years I’ve been motivated and rewarded by teaching English in a large high school district in New Jersey. Watching students of all levels make meaning of a story and learn to express themselves has both fueled my passion for teaching and brought me joy. Projects along the way, such as presenting at teacher in-service programs and developing curriculum for the district’s Honors American Literature and AP Literature and Composition Courses, have provided opportunities for my growth.  Integrating my own personal growth work has made my participation in interdisciplinary committees of teachers and staff a true gift. Creating integrated support plans for at-risk students and running support groups for girls facing adversity has allowed me to develop new skills. As an adult who knows the importance of emotional strength, helping my students to grow resilience has been healing for me. Beyond the classroom, my biggest joy is spending time with my husband and grown children.

 
 Kevin McCormick

Kevin is currently in his first year as Superintendent/Principal of the Washington Caldwell School District in Waterford, WI.  Prior to coming to the Washington Caldwell School District, Kevin was the principal at Red Apple Elementary School in Racine, WI. During his last year at Red Apple, the 4K-5 STEAM school was selected as a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School based upon their success in closing achievement gaps.   Kevin has also held various district level and school level positions including teacher, principal, Director of Student Achievement and School Improvement, Director of School Performance and Director of School Support.  Kevin has four children ranging from ages 6 to 21.  He enjoys family life,  outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, hunting and hiking.  He also loves to learn new things.  

 Linda Rost

Linda Rost is the 2020 Montana Teacher of the Year and a Top 4 Finalist for National Teacher of the Year. She teaches biology, anatomy and physiology, AP biology, chemistry, and science research for grades 10-12 at Baker High School in Baker, MT. She has successfully facilitated an award-winning science research program and in her twelve-year career, twenty-two of her students have competed at national or international science competitions. One student placed 1st at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in 2012 and another placed 3rd in 2019. Additionally, one placed 3rd at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and four have placed 4th. Rost obtained a Bachelor of Science in Range Science from New Mexico State University, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Science in Science Education from Montana State University - Bozeman. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction - STEM from Texas Tech University. Rost is the chair of the Baker Public Schools Professional Development Committee, which she started in 2018 to focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Indian Education for All (IEFA) K-12 collaborations and grant projects. She serves as a teacher leader for the Montana Partnerships with Regions for Excellence in STEM (MPRES) and the Northwest Earth and Space Sciences Pipeline (NESSP) grants. She is a three-time winner of the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Teacher Award, a two-time Continental Cares grant recipient and the 2016 National Vernier Engineering Contest   

Melissa Walsh

Melissa Walsh is a special education teacher who supports her district’s Child Study and Intervention and Referral Services teams. Before teaching, Melissa’s experience working in public health helped her realize the true importance of school, family, and community partnerships and the role that these relationships play in closing the achievement gap among children. After personally experiencing the trauma of a young family member, Melissa developed her current passion for researching how trauma and mental health impact student success. She now frequently provides colleagues with professional development in the area of trauma and incorporating Social Emotional Learning in public schools. Melissa earned her Master's in Special Education from Rider University but feels the best training happens daily when she steps into the classroom. Melissa is married to a talented Chemistry teacher and together they have two beautiful daughters.

Dan Whitley

Dan is a second grade teacher at a High Progress School of Honor located in Dayton, Ohio. A graduate of Wright State University, he has taught in an elementary setting since 2007. Outside of school Dan is involved in outreach to children from low income homes through camps and programs, coaching youth sports including soccer and basketball as well as being active in social reform in the Dayton community. His PAX behavior modification training videos can be found on the PAX website. If you wish to contact Dan you may do so at whitley.6@wright.edu

Linda Young

Linda was born and raised in Arizona, although she spent time in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her education roots run deep since she grew up with a family of educators. Some of her favorite aunts taught in one-room schoolhouses and her mother taught in a large urban setting.  Wanting to follow in these footsteps, she earned the American Chemical Society Certified Chemistry Bachelor of Science Degree from Northern Arizona University before continuing on to earn a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  Her passion has been meeting the challenge of educating a diverse population of students as individuals, so each reaches their greatest potential as a contributor to society and as a person.

After relocating to California, Linda began her journey in public education.  She has taught many courses in chemistry, including Advanced Placement.  Additionally, she mentored others as a STEAM Teacher on Assignment and coordinated the Advanced Placement Program her high school before moving to the District Office as the Director of Certificated Human Resources.  At one point, she took a five-year recess from teaching to help improve the conditions for teaching and learning within her district by serving her colleagues as President of the local teachers’ union.  During this time, she had the opportunity to partner with the local community to help them realize their dream of building a public library. No matter the timeframe, environment or role, Linda has been a solid advocate for students and quality educational programs for all.