As someone who likes to learn new things, it’s easy for me to develop a plan to try something new—it brings me joy to have a novel experience or to help someone do the same. Many of my experienced educator friends are similar—most teachers love to learn, and most of them also love to help other teachers. The more we grow and share as educators, the more students succeed.
Both Challenges and Joy
When I reflect on the efforts of educators who are new to their career, a curriculum, a role, a school, or an initiative, I have to remind myself that not everyone is always energized by learning something new. Teaching a new
course can be overwhelming. If you are lucky, you are a week ahead of your students, and most are often only one day ahead in terms of knowing the ins and outs of the lessons and learning outcomes. While it may not always be energizing, for many teachers, it's the joy of learning that keeps them—and their students—moving forward.
Being an educator is more than just learning and teaching new content — it’s about growing, inspiring, and leading with purpose.
At Uncharted Learning, we support teachers in this pursuit by offering them continual opportunities to improve their craft and evolve their content knowledge. We provide educators—both new and experienced—with support, resources, and pathways to elevate their teaching practice. Whether it’s trying a new vocabulary strategy, presenting at a national conference, or evolving how they assess student learning, we challenge educators to expand their thinking and continually grow in their craft.
We’ve learned that for many educators, joy comes from sharing their expertise with peers and students, a fulfillment closely tied to ikigai—the intersection of passion, talent, and community need. Whether leading workshops, mentoring new teachers, or collaborating with colleagues, they find purpose in spreading knowledge, and creating a culture of growth that benefits everyone around them. It allows experienced teachers to emerge as leaders while providing a meaningful way to stay current with content.
Spotlight on Educators Who Lead with Joy
These three educators exemplify the power of leadership through learning, sharing, and building community. Their dedication not only uplifts their students but also enriches our entire network of educators. We are proud to celebrate their exceptional contributions this year.
Nicole Alexander
Rouse High School, Leander ISD, TX, MobileMakersEdu Certified Teacher
As a new MobileMakersEdu teacher, Nicole came ready to learn. At the summer bootcamp, she displayed a commitment to understanding— asking questions and working on apps into the late evening hours. Throughout her first year, Nicole took advantage of all the support and learning opportunities offered, from Saturday training sessions to after-school UI/UX workshops, Nicole showed up to learn for her students. She even took it a step further and led a successful Meet the Makers event featuring her students.
Nicole (Nicki) Mullenix
Madison Junior High, Naperville Community Unit School District 203, IL, mxINCedu Leader Teacher
Nicki is a dedicated collaborator who leads impactful workshops, empowering her colleagues and students to grow. She takes advantage of our many opportunities for growth and learning, e.g., National Summit, Entrepreneurship Across the Curriculum, and virtual meet-ups for mxINCedu teachers. Nicki truly embraces learning and passes her new knowledge and skills to her students. She encourages middle schoolers to dream big, and she led the first-ever mxINCedu team to create their own LLC, enabling them to sell their product on a larger scale. A model learner and leader, Nicki inspires others by demonstrating what is possible.
Jay Walker
Lake Belton High School, Belton ISD, TX, INCubatoredu Master Teacher
Since launching the INCubatoredu program at her school in 2022, Jay Walker has stood out as a passionate educator willing to learn for her students. Throughout the 2023-24 school year, Jay leaned into her confidence in the INCubatoredu program by sharing her knowledge with new teachers and leading a session at the Uncharted Learning National Summit. An optimist and a hard worker, Jay’s leadership has inspired other INCubatoredu teachers to let go so their students can thrive.
These teachers inspire us with their joy in leading and learning, showing how education is a path of shared growth and purpose. Interested in learning more about the Uncharted Learning approach to professional development? Contact us to learn more.
