Category: Stories

Tara Troxel on embracing her Native American heritage as a teacher Difference has always been a part of Tara Troxel‘s life. She was adopted as an infant in Minot, North Dakota and her parents made every effort to make her feel special and loved.  However, as she grew older, she wanted to learn more about … Continued

Ariana Audisio on What Latina Identity Means to Her as a Person, Mother, and Advocate When Ariana Audisio’s children entered the public school system in one of the most highly-rated districts in the United States, she was surprised by what she saw. “I felt the joy and belonging part of school missing for my kids,” … Continued

Ana Luis on What Latina Identity Means to Her “I lived part-time in another country, spoke a different language at home, ate different foods, and was very immersed in this native culture from my family. But then, I would go out into other spaces within the United States and be received with the privilege of … Continued

Working to Live After Emancipation As I reflect on Juneteenth, our newest federal holiday, I can’t help but think of my mother. Though school didn’t teach me about that day in Galveston when my people gained their freedom, my mother made sure I learned about what followed.  My mother and her siblings grew up in … Continued

Leading Educators CEO Chong-Hao Fu on the work ahead for U.S. education At this time of rapid change in the world, I spoke with Leading Educators CEO Chong-Hao Fu about what the near future holds for education and the profession of teaching. He reflects on the need for a richer vision of teaching, opportunities to … Continued

LeAnita Garner describes herself in a few ways: learner, caring big sister, mother, wife, daughter of an educator, and a career educator herself. These facets are shaped and enhanced by the power she finds in her Blackness. With Black History Month already in the recent past, she hopes we can start to change the way … Continued

Former Leading Educators CEO Jonas Chartock says farewell to the board Nearly two years ago, amid what many have called the “racial reckoning” of summer 2020, Leading Educators announced plans to diversify our board of directors. Dr. Jonas Chartock, our founding CEO and a member of the board since inception offered to make the first … Continued

Today, we are proud to announce that we have accepted a $10 million donation from author MacKenzie Scott, the most significant investment toward our mission ever. This support offers important backing for our rallying belief: every child in this country deserves excellent and equitable teaching. It also says that it’s possible and worthwhile to disrupt … Continued