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.

Nicole Murawski is a former physics teacher who began her career in 1996 at The Detroit School of Industrial Arts. Nicole taught mathematics here until 1998, where she changed positions to a suburban public high school in Royal Oak, Michigan. This job change brought her to specialize in Physics, which was her undergraduate major to begin with. In 2022, Nicole left the classroom and continued working with educators in a variety of ways. She has served as a content area expert for graphic novels, developed assessment items, writes curriculums, facilitates educator workshops, and provides academic coaching for high school and college students. Nicole is also an ambassador for STEP UP: an initiative that supports physics teachers while also encouraging females to pursue undergraduate majors in physics via research based lessons and activities. In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband and 11 year old son, traveling, going on hikes, watching movies and even playing video games with her son.

Stephanie Willis is a former elementary classroom teacher, reading interventionist and district literacy coach from New Jersey. Stephanie started her teaching career in 2011 and served the public school system for 11 years, ending this chapter of her life and career in June 2022. Stephanie’s transition began by working as a contracted instructional designer for Panorama Education while she built her current business, The Literacy Party Tutoring Company. Stephanie is currently the owner and also a tutor for her company, and her and her team serve students pre-k through 12th grade. Outside of her job, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her pup Maple, trying new restaurants, and traveling the world!

Our very first guest on the A Traveling Teacher Podcast is none other than Josh Lappin, former teacher who for 27 years served in various roles within the education system. Roles ranging from teacher, administrator, coach, advisor, summer program director, and even school bus driver gave Josh a well-rounded understanding of not only education, but it’s evolution over the last few decades. In 2023, Josh officially retired from the education system only to continue his passion for teaching in a different way. What used to be his side hustle formerly known as Summer Blazers evolved into a more full time name called Super Tutors. Josh and his team work with students both in-person and online, ranging from Kindergarten through 12th grade. You can find Josh and Supertutors at: www.supertutors.com