[The Teacher Coaches]

 

FuelEd Teacher Coaches foster learning environments where teachers are given the space, time, and guidance to explore the personal and interpersonal challenges that come with being a teacher. The emotional experiences of teachers, including feelings of uncertainty, confusion, and fear, oftentimes go unacknowledged. Giving teachers the opportunity to discuss, reflect, and process these experiences will enable them to understand and regulate emotions that may otherwise thwart classroom efforts.

Read on to learn more about FuelEd’s amazing Teacher Coaches…

Judy Kajander

Judy Kajander started her career as an elementary school teacher before becoming a social worker and drug counselor where she has served students in both private and public schools for over 30 years.  She has been named School Social Worker of the Year by the University of Texas Graduate School of Social Work and received the Anti-Defamation, Houston Teacher Excellence Award twice for programs promoting prejudice awareness.  Ms. Kajander is currently a Student Support Counselor at YES Prep Southwest, where she played a pivotal role in introducing FuelEd to her school. She is passionate about FuelEd because she believes is truly the missing link for teacher training and success in the classroom.

Janet Pozmantier

Janet Pozmantier is an award-winning author, curriculum developer, trainer, and child advocate specializing in primary prevention programming.  She has created and successfully implemented child abuse prevention, relationship and parenting education curricula for children, youth, and adults and is known for her interactive presentations and engaging speaking style.  Janet was also instrumental in establishing several children’s advocacy organizations in Houston, and is co-author of a book on early childhood development.  Janet is a recipient of the Unsung Hero Award from Children at Risk and was named Trainer of the Year by the Texas AEYC.  In her civic life, Janet is a member of American Leadership Forum Class XXX and is the immediate past chair of the Southwest Region of the Anti-Defamation League.  Currently, Janet serves as an outreach educator for The Dibble Institute and as a consultant to numerous non-profit organizations.

Dawn Mitchell

Ms. Mitchell holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tampa, an MBA from the University of Miami, and a M.A. in Psychology from Pepperdine University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology, with an emphasis in neuropsychology, from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois.  Ms. Mitchell has served in a variety of research positions, including research for The Social Neuroscience of Education: Optimizing Attachment and Learning in the Classroom, written by Dr. Louis Cozolino, and for UCLA’s Autism Research Alliance. Ms. Mitchell currently works with children and adolescents with autism and provides support, consultation and coaching to parents and caregivers.

Hayley Stulmaker

Ms. Stulmaker is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern working towards her PhD in Counseling. Her specialty area is in play therapy which led her to working within school districts. She loves working with children but has realized that it is extremely important to work within a system to create more meaningful change. She has developed a passion for helping teachers facilitate stronger teacher-student relationships consisting of warmth and acceptance in order for students to reach their full potential and maximize benefits for teachers. She is very excited to be a part of the FuelEd team this year.