We are small group of parents and educators who want to make the lives of teachers a little bit easier.

Eric is the child of public school educators. They and the unending generosity of his in-laws are the inspiration behind Admire Teachers. He remembers watching his parents buy things for their students out of their own pockets even when money was tight. He has had several careers from the music business to photojournalism to nonprofit management and filmmaking. He was also a stay at home dad for several years. He served as the board treasurer of The Emerson School for three years. Currently, he is a Court Appointed Special Advocate and he recently joined the board of Artichoke Community Music.

Rachel is an infectious disease physician and mom to two high school girls. Growing up, she watched her mom teach ceramics in the basement of their San Francisco home to kids after school. She has fond memories of helping her fourth grade teacher grade papers after school, and credits her chorus director for teaching her the discipline and focus she drew upon to complete many years of medical training. She has worked at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center since 2008.

Renee’s teaching career began in 1974 in Compton, CA and was followed by teaching positions in Liberia, West Africa for the Peace Corps and later at Berkeley High. She later became the Director of the Mathematics, Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Program at San Francisco State University, a program she brought to Portland Public Schools in 1985. In 2000 she returned to the classroom and taught mathematics at Grant High school until she retired in 2012. She presently serves on the Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) and the Oregon Alliance for Black School Educators (ORABSE) boards.

Alejandra Nava is the Dual Language Program Coordinator for the Reynolds School District, bringing extensive experience in linguistic equity and workforce development from her previous leadership at MESD. A dedicated advocate for social justice, she has specialized in building diverse educator pathways and inclusive learning environments. She is honored to join the board and contribute her expertise in educator wellness and models of support.

Danny Walker has worked in middle and elementary schools for 18 years in both San Francisco and Portland. 15 of those years have been in the classroom and three have been working within school administration. Prior to entering the education field, he worked as a copy writer and event producer. He lives with his wife and daughter in Portland.