132. Theresa Tate, Fierce Advocate For All Learners

Today my guest is Theresa Tate, who currently teaches, guides, coaches and advises kids at the Orchard View Innovative Learning Center in Michigan. Theresa is a guest on this podcast because of a recommendation made to me by Chris McNutt, one of the founders of The Human Restoration Project, which just held its annual, virtual, Conference to Restore Humanity. Chris wrote the following for this episode: “Theresa Tate is an incredible educator with an unwavering support of students who have nowhere else to turn. In our focus groups at the Orchard View ILC, students consistently described Theresa's classroom as a "family," expressing reluctance to leave the nurturing space she has created upon graduation. And she is a fierce advocate for disabled and neurodivergent students, dedicated to building a more inclusive and supportive future.” Nick Kunnen, Theresa’s Director at the Innovative Learning Center wrote the following for this episode: “As her co-worker, friend, and supervisor, I can not say enough about Theresa Tate. She continues to amaze me with her passion and drive to connect with her students and to provide them with not only a quality learning experience but also a space that is safe and welcoming. Theresa's ability to openly share her own story helps everyone around her feel comfortable and connected.” Theresa noted to me that she decided at a young age (once she got past the combination firefighter-ballerina-marine biologist phase) that she wanted to be a teacher. There were a few factors that influenced her decision, one being her mother, who, though started as a teacher but became a mail carrier, encouraged Theresa to follow the teaching path. The other factor had to do with getting a ticket to college - becoming a teacher was that ticket and the start of a process of becoming the remarkable educator she is today. At Spring Arbor University Theresa earned her BA in English with a minor in Spanish while being named, in her secondary education concentration, as the E.P. Hart Honors Scholar. Among the many accomplishments listed in her resume related to the Orchard View Innovative Learning Center, these several jump out as wonderful gemstones. Theresa founded a Creative Writing Club during her last semester that had regular after-school attendance of 5-7 students who enjoyed exploring and experimenting with new forms and genres. She served as Vice President of Orchard View Education Association, which gave her the opportunity to learn a great deal about the relationship between the District and the Association and how both work to improve the field for teachers and students. By the way, listeners, What School Could Be is doing some major work in the great state of Michigan. This is why I am so pleased to bring you this episode. As always, this show's audio engineer is the talented Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the master pianist, Michael Sloan.