Omolola Ajayi is in her sixth year of teaching, serving as the Lead Classroom Teacher for 5th Grade English Language Arts and Social Studies at S.T.A,R. Academy Charter School. In addition to serving as a classroom lead, she is also serving her second year as the K-6 English Language Arts Content Specialist for her school's elementary and middle schools. A Ridgeway High School and Rhodes College Alum, this Memphis native is committed to seeing her city and its children grow through educational conversations and experiences that honor where they've been and inspire them to create futures worth living.
Derek King is the Vice Principal at Southwind High School and is in his eleventh year in education. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Rhodes College. He went on to join the Mississippi Teacher Corps at Ole Miss where he received a Master's degree; his Educational Specialist and Doctoral work has been done at Ole Miss as well. Derek is an active member of the Rhodes College Alumni Association and serves as a community partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Memphis.
Christine Shultz works at Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Middle School as the 8th grade Special Education teacher, interventionist, and case manager. She is in her seventh year of teaching and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Education through Johns Hopkins University. Throughout her time in education she has co-taught in English and Math classrooms in grades 7-12, as well as served as the Special Education Department Chair and the RTI Program Coordinator.
Beth Warner teaches English at Whitehaven High School and is in her 5th year teaching in Memphis. She consults on curriculum implementation for the district as an English Curriculum Fellow and serves on the executive board of the Memphis Teacher Residency professional development committee with a specialization in social emotional learning. She holds a Masters degree in Urban Education from Union University and recently participated in the = an Educator Social Emotional Reflection and Training cohort and New Memphis Stride cohort.
Anna Grace Wier is currently in her second year as the supervising teacher of the University of Memphis Early Learning and Research Center two and three-year-old Reggio Emilia-Inspired classroom. She has served at the University of Memphis Early Learning and Research Center for the past five years in different roles working to impact young learners. She received her Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Child Development and Family Studies as well as a minor in Art. Her passion is that every child in her care feels safe, loved, and worthy, and that every child that leaves the classroom will have the tools and knowledge to inspire others to feel that way as well. She was awarded the University of Memphis Diversity and Inclusion Award during her first year of leading a classroom.