Michelle Flora is a former K-2nd grade teacher who taught at the same district for 32 years. In the early 2010’s, Michelle realized it was time to explore other options and began looking into what was available outside the classroom. In the spring of 2019, Michelle learned about a non-profit in the state of Indiana that specialized in blind and low vision babies. Having completed the training to enter into this full time in 2020 meant Michelle’s passion was able to shine in a different way. By October 2021, Michelle moved closer to her daughter in Indianapolis while building a full time caseload with this non-profit organization. Outside of education, Michelle is a mom, a Mimi, and loves to read and garden in her spare time.

Tina Shepardson is a former 5th and 6th grade english, science and math teacher who taught in Syracuse, New York for 33 years. Tina realized it was time to transition into a different setting that contributed to kids’ lives in other ways. 2016 was a time when Tina, having just turned 50, knew she would be leaving at age 55, realized it was time for a shift, and began developing her Plan B. Tina has since written children’s books including “Walkout”, “Canines Unleashed”, and “The Sorry Seeds”. Tina is also the host of her own podcast “The Lil’ Leaders Podcast”, a bi-monthly podcast devoted to hearing the stories of young students and what makes them leaders as well as adults making an impact on kids.

Christina Karahisarlidis-Drexler knew she wanted to be a teacher from the young age of 6 years old. Christina’s first teaching job was a high school ELA teacher in the New York City Department of Education. This job lasted for 7 years, where Christina’s joy in the classroom was quite visible to those around her. Over time, Christina realized teaching was taking over her personal life and made the very difficult decision to leave the classroom in the spring of 2023. Christina knew she couldn't leave education entirely, and her current role as Program Manager at an education non-profit has been the perfect change. When she's not working, she's spending time in Queens, NY with her husband, their dog, Cholula, family, and friends, trying new foods, crocheting, and reading.