Amy Kelley’s journey as an educator is beautiful and rich, one that circles through career choices and cycles through intentions and detours to enduring contentment. As Amy winds her way through her career for us, we have the feeling that the actual position she holds – humanities teacher, language arts department chair, MTSS coordinator - matters less than her life’s work - her deep understanding of students - who they are, how they develop, grow, learn, and how they present themselves to the world. She never settles, never reaches a final destination. There’s always more to figure out, which is at the heart of what makes her a distinguished educator with a fascinating story.

Julie Ste Marie is the amazing Pre-School Teacher at the Jay Westfield School, a member school of NCSU (North Country Supervisory Union) in the Northeast Kingdom. In her 33rd year of teaching, Julie has the energy of a twenty-eight-year-old. She has taught the gamut of elementary grades, beginning with 4th grade, moving up through 6, and then created the now impressive preschool program at her school, recognized widely for its student-focused, outdoor-oriented, experiential and inquiry-based learning.

Tammy Russell is exactly the teacher we all want for our children. Walden School’s Grade 7-8 STEM Teacher, Tammy is one ball of energy; she focuses on nurturing adolescent development, understands what it takes for middle level students to learn, and loves what she is doing.