Champions of Change

Champions of Change: Educators

Investing in education is a key pillar in President Obama’s plan to secure America’s economic competitiveness in the 21st century. Educators from across the country came to the White House to discuss how to ensure every child receives a first-rate education. These Champions of Change are working day in and day out to prepare our students to be competitive in an increasingly global market.

Sandi Rosa Acosta, Middle School Science Teacher, Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Sandi has been a middle school science teacher at Kenwood K-8 Center for eight years. She is a National...

Sherlynn Aurelio, Achievement Specialist/Reading Specialist, EastSide Charter School.

Sherlynn has 16 years of teaching experience and is passionate about closing the achievement gap. She...

Lisa Coates, 2010 U.S. Department of Education Classroom Fellow, Liberty Middle School.

A first generation college student, Lisa understands the importance of public education and effective...

Jemal Graham, 2010 U.S. Department of Education Classroom Fellow, Middle School 113.

Jemal came into teaching through New York Teaching Fellows eight years ago explicitly to serve as a role...

Tamra L. Jackson, 2009 U.S. Department of Education Classroom Fellow, Bridgeport High School.

Tamra currently serves as the principal and high school English for Bridgeport High School, a...

Eric Kehn, Middle School Math Teacher and Instructional Coach, Central Middle School.

Eric Kehn was Louisiana's 2010 Regional Teacher of the Year. He is an instructional coach at Central...

Becky Martinez, Middle School ELA Teacher and Instructional Coach, Bruce Randolph School.

Becky Martinez has taught middle school language arts and humanities since 1997 in a variety of...

David Meek, High School Science Teacher, Marble Hill School for International Studies.

David Meek is a high school science teacher at the Marble Hill School for International Studies in the...

Lisa Mills, Speech Language Pathologist, Barstow Elementary School.

Lisa has been a Speech Language Pathologist for more than 17 years andcurrently works at Barstow Elementary School in...

Pam Smith, 2010 U.S. Department of Education Classroom Fellow, Florida Virtual School (Okaloosa Online).

Pam is a life-long learner and educator having taught for twenty-seven years, most...

Wendy Uptain, Former Kindergarten Teacher, Oakridge Elementary School.

Wendy worked as a teacher for four years in both a charter school and a traditional public school. She understands...

Tracey Van Dusen, 2010 U.S. Department of Education Classroom Fellow, Pioneer High School.

After watching Peter Jennings talk about the National Commission on Excellence in Education’s...

Kristine Woleck, 2009 U.S. Department of Education Classroom Fellow, New Cannan School.

Kristine works as a staff developer/coach, a K-5 mathematics specialist/coach and a curriculum...