2025 Teacher Leader Impact Award Winners

Quotes from the honorees

"Coaching the amazing staff at Gull Lake Virtual Partnership is more than a job, it's a privilege and my passion. I can't wait to see how the resources from Edthena support our goals to innovate and ensure education is personalized for all students. -Betsy Springer, GLVP Instructional Coach" 

Betsy Springer, Instructional Coach, Gull Lake Community Schools

"I’m honored to be recognized with the Teacher Leader Impact Award. This award reflects the commitment of my colleagues and students to fostering a school culture where every learner feels seen, supported, and challenged to thrive. I’m excited to continue advancing innovative, values-driven practices that help shape resilient, compassionate future leaders." 

Mr. Wavell Blades, Deputy Head of School, British International School of New York

"Perseverance, embracing challenges, and the transformative power of applied knowledge will lead you to success" 

LeeAnn Caradine, 2nd Grade Teacher, Travis USD

"I genuinely love being coached — it pushes me to grow in ways I never imagined. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that if you have patience and trust the coaching process, the success you’re working toward will follow."

Ana Mejia, 3rd/4th Grade STEM Teacher, Newark Educators Community Charter School

"Excellence in math education is my driving force, and I’m truly grateful for this recognition. Thank you for honoring the hard work and dedication that go into helping students grow, persevere, and thrive through mathematics." 

Emerlyn C. Abrenica, Middle School Mathematics Teacher, Manor Independent School District

"I’m incredibly honored to receive the 2025 Teacher Leader Impact Award. This recognition affirms the heart I put into leading with purpose and uplifting both students and colleagues. Every day, I aim to inspire resilience, growth, and connection in the classroom and beyond—and this award is a beautiful reminder that the work we do as educators truly matters. Thank you for this meaningful honor."

Davina Lyons, 8th Grade ELA Teacher and Team Leader, Maricopa Unified School District 

"I’m Qingyan Kang, a Mandarin teacher and school leader in a dual-language immersion program. I believe in guiding students to lead with empathy, think beyond borders, and explore with curiosity in every language and lesson." 

Qingyan Kang, Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District

"Working in an alternative high school with an amazing principal has pushed me to design creative, ever-changing courses—including service learning through art—and shown me how connection and purpose can transform learning, making it even more rewarding to grow alongside and support other teachers."

Mary Wyman, Art Teacher, Service Learning Club Sponsor, Instructional Coach, and Online Teacher/Whisperer, J. O. Combs Unified School District

"Bailey Weddington is an exceptional educator and a dedicated leader who consistently goes above and beyond to support our students and staff. As both a special education teacher and our team leader, she brings compassion, expertise, and a collaborative spirit to everything she does. We are incredibly proud to celebrate her well-deserved recognition as a Teacher Leader Impact Award winner."

Howard County Public Schools

"When we come together with the main goal of student success, everything is possible. Bulldogs embrace challenges because We Play To Win!"

“Bulldog Leaders” Yvonne Perez-Fuentes, Reading and Language Arts Department Chair; Jessica Munoz, Social Studies Department Chair; Terry Garcia, Mathematics Department Chair; Lawrence A. Attebery, Science Department Chair; Cassandra Fell-Gomez, Response to Intervention Specialist, San Benito Consolidated Independent School District