For my teachers ❤

Appreciating all the people who have been a part of my learning process — inside formal educational institutions and out.

The last time I was a student was about five years ago. Actually I take that back — it was like 7 weeks ago, learning about Rewilding and how to learn the kinds of things a gal might need to know in the event of civilization collapsing. By day, I write curriculum and learn all about challenging technical subjects like Git, the Command Line and JavaScript. In my spare time, I’m ogling over Vihart’s Fibonnacci videos and trying to figure out how to make geometric shapes with a straightedge and a compass and how to make maps and…and…and….

Now that I think about it…I’m in learning and education mode ALL THE TIME.

That’s because learning is, for me, a huge part of what makes life worthwhile. Growing up, school was a haven. It was a place with rules and other kids and books and activities and art supplies — endless art supplies! At 34, I still can’t get enough school — there’s so much to be learned, all around us, all the time! The world is a place of exploration, research, curiosity and play. (I’m not as good at the play part, but will continue to study it diligently until I get the hang of it.)

As much as I enjoy learning, it’s often not something I enjoy doing solo. Whereas my autodidact friends can just read or watch something and magically seem to understand it, I work much better with a guide, someone who can show me things and respond to my questions, point out where the instructions are wrong and show me “the right way to do things.” I’ve tried asking questions of the internet before…but it’s just not the same.

Teachers are the magic that bridge the gap, who know just where to push you both to learn more about the subject matter and about yourself.

So this Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to honor some of the key people I’ve learned from, both from within formal educational institutions and outside of it. In this, I may be expanding definition of “teacher” to include mentors, coaches and guides.

Some of you out there may be like, “Hey! But this week is really just about TEACHER teachers, like the ones who study pedagogy and do the grunt work of our broken educational system for shit pay.” First, that point is valid! TEACHER teachers deserve the highest honor this week; especially the ones working with too many students and not enough resources.

That said, you know what else is amazing? Professionals and friends who take time out of their busy lives to show you how to do something that you didn’t know how to do before. Maybe that person was even PAYING YOU while they were teaching you. Since there’s no Mentors and Friends Who’ve Helped You Learn Stuff That School Might Have Never Taught You Day, I’m bundling my mentors in with the saints that taught me reading, writing, arithmetic, and how not to cry at ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. (Still working on that one too….)

As far as I’m concerned, everyone — EVERYONE — has something to teach. Which is a good thing considering just how much there is to learn.

So now, without further ado (and before I forget, as I have some of their names) it’s time to appreciate some of the finest teachers I’ve had the pleasure of learning from.

And to all the teachers out there: HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!

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I went to The Galloway School from age 2 until 15, and it’s where this this love for learning in me set its roots in deep. Most of the teachers there were absolutely amazing. 20 years later, here are a few that stand out:

Mrs. Gonzalez — Art! Gets all the hearts. I remember wanting to have art class every day!
Mr. Hudson — 3rd grade, and how to not cry at absolutely everything.
Ms. Simonelli — 5th grade English, and how to dance to the beat of your own drum.
Mr. Robert Long — 8th grade English, Guitar, and Outdoor Adventures, not to mention how to be truly yourself in a professional setting.

In my sophomore year, I transferred to Independence High School, an alternative public school. It was a stark contrast to Galloway, and a place where I first began to understand what privilege was. I went to school with young mothers, students on parole, and other people who were just weirdos like me. These are some of the people who made the learning experience there wonderful.

Ms. Dayton — History, which still makes no sense to me.
Mrs. Williams—Math…and taking me out to lunch to talk about feelings.
Mrs. Lynch — French, English.
The art teacher who was there in 1999 — I can’t remember her name, but I remember her teaching me how to paint in both oils and acrylics. Which is not something that is easy for me, but something I got good at thanks to her.

In 2001, I started my undergrad at Georgia State University. The place was huge, and sometimes felt really overwhelming compared to the relatively small schools I had attended. Still, there were some really wonderful teachers who did more for me than just teach:

Andrew Altman — Philosophy! Dr. Altman was my thesis advisor, and it was under him that I actually put together my very first 50-page anything. (Which now seems like nothing, but it was a big deal at the time!) He also opened my mind to legal philosophy and poststructuralism. I may not have gone to law school like I thought I would, but I find myself using this critical way of thinking all the time.
Paul Rodecker — Drawing! And encouraging me to express some of my darkest parts in a visual way.
David Bottoms — Poetry! And encouraging me to express some of my darkest parts in authentic, elegant little lines.

My first “grown up job” was at Alternative Apparel. It’s here that my professional education really began. Not only did I learn about what it looks like at a healthy medium-sized company, but I got my hands dirty with HR, office management, event management, internal branding, employee handbook making, copywriting, and more. All of these skills have served me tremendously in my career, and it’s thanks in large part to:

Mary Kathryn Dean — Human Resources and how to be a professional. She held it together with a smile even in the most super challenging moments. I try to channel her when I face challenging professional moments of my own.
Paige Cannon Fuller — Marketing! And how to walk to the beat of your own drum and be a badass.
Ian Darken — a Graphic Designer who patiently explained how to do things in Illustrator and Photoshop, and was even more patient when I asked rudimentary questions about design.
Molly Raney — PR & Marketing. I think of her and her beam of light ALL. THE. TIME!

Some of the most heartfelt teaching and mentorship came from Georgia Tech’s Digital Media department. These people were there for me at a major turning point in my adult life, and continue to encourage me to follow my my heart towards wherever it’s leading me.

Carl DiSalvo — Design Theory! Participatory Design! Graphic Design! Workshops! Maps! Not only did Carl teach me about the theory and practice behind each of these, it’s through him that I realized that the world of art and technology and creative coding were not out of reach. He’s a go to for little bits of career advisement to this day.
Janet Murray — Interaction Design, Project Management, and Independent Womanness. She was one of the first people to tell me to put myself first in a way that really sunk in.
Brian Magerko — How not to lose my shit in grad school. Also Processing and programming, which I did NOT learn easily.

After grad school, I made my way to San Francisco, where I ended up working for Burning Man. This entire experience was an education in and of itself, and I learned a TON from everyone there (and I mean that). But looking back, one woman really sticks out to me:

Heather White — who’s now Burning Man’s Managing Director. This woman is not only brilliant at what she does, she knows how to keep her cool in super stressful situations. I think of her mentorship and advice all the time.

After Burning Man, my love for maps led me to a lovely little boutique data visualization and design studio called Stamen. There, in addition to honing my proposal writing and outreach skills, I founded an educational community called Maptime, where people can meet up, wherever they are, and learn how to make maps together. Like with Burning Man, I really learned something from everyone I worked with during this time. Today, I’d like to honor these folks:

Alan McConchie — Maptime cofounder and Stamen cartographer. He patiently explained so many mapping concepts to me! And I learned a ton about teaching from watching him teach.
Seth Fitzsimmons — Stamen Technical Director, who has provided me with endless professional advice as well as technical map-related know how.
Lyzi Diamond — Maptime cofounder. She got the idea of learning through teaching into my head, as well as how to, as she puts it, “be the fuck out of yourself.”
Eric Rodenbeck —Stamen CEO & Creative Director. It’s not easy to merge art and design and passion and business and being a public figure. And he does it. I learned a lot from watching him as his employee, and still do from afar.
Michael “Coop” Cooper — Stamen’s Business Coach. He taught me that business is really personal, and that personal growth is tied to professional growth.

At Skillcrush — a kickass mostly female company devoted to getting more women better-paying and more flexible careers through learning tech skills — I’ve been able to hone my instructional design chops, thanks in large part to these two women:

Adda Birnir —CEO. She’s also stuck to her guns as she’s built a company from the ground up. There are some important lessons there too!
Chelsea Jenkins — Curriculum Writer, who’s shared so many resources about the wide world of instructional design.

Which brings me to the Portland Underground Grad School, which is basically my dream school come true. You can take 4-week courses on topics like Rewilding, Reading Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Problem with Privilege, Gender and Digital Identity, and more. Topics like these are critical in a time colored by climate change, racial inequality and an increasing wage gap. In many ways, I feel like so much of my windy path has led me to here, where I’ve become a student, teacher, and advisor. Today I’d like to honor these two guys:

Douglas Tsoi — CEO and Founder. He’s teaching a course right now called The Catalyst Course, which is all about making change in your life. Even outside of the class, he’s been such a powerful sounding board for my ideas, and all in all supporter. If his life was a class, it would be How to Live a Life You’re Proud Of. I’m so proud to know him, and honored to be his student, colleague, and friend.
Peter Michael Bauer — Rewilding 101 and 201. Thinking about the fall of civilization and how to survive its collapse can be a really scary thing, but Peter taught it in a way that was totally accessible and safe. This class taught me that, no, I’m not insane for thinking that civilization as we know it is completely weird and that, yes, I can learn ancestral survival skills one thing at a time. The value in that is PRICELESS.

Ok. That was longer than I meant it to be. And it’s really not the end of the list — there are so many friends who have taught me things too! Thomas Barnwell held my hand through learning how to code, Max McDonough taught me how to do basic video editing, Ian Heisters taught me how to ask for how much I’m worth, Dallas Swindle teaches me every day about science and how to use machines and how to listen to my heart, and Natalie Whelan has taught me what it means to be playful and full of light.

Where would I be without these lessons? Without these people? I’m grateful for everything they’ve taught me, now and always.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week ❤