Meet Meredith Chase-Mitchell!

As part of our ongoing series Meet Our GDS Faculty and Staff, we are excited to present: Meet Meredith Chase-Mitchell!

Read the Q&A below to learn more about Meredith.

Primary Role: High School Learning Specialist
Pronouns: She/Her
Years at GDS: Two years down and halfway into year three!
 

What do you love about GDS?
I love GDS's energy! As soon as you enter the building you smile and laugh; what an amazing space to be in each day.

Why do you teach/do your job?
I do my job because every student needs a cheerleader!

A favorite part of your job?
When staff and kids come to the office to say, “Hi!”

Your work style in just a few words?
Coffee, calendar reminders, and crossing things off my to do list.

Other GDS activities or roles that community members may not know about?
Co-Lead of Black Faculty and Staff Affinity Group, Co-Lead of Crowns (Black non-male affinity space), Co-Lead of PLP (Peers Leadership Program)

A top hope/wish for your students and/or colleagues?
That they find joy in themselves and water their souls with affirmations that fuel love of self and compassion for others.

Personal passions/hobbies/pastimes?
I am a newly minted plant mom. 

Please share some various favorites...
Favorite movie: Mo Betta Blues
Favorite short story: “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros

A favorite family story?
When I was finally old enough to get house keys—or so we thought (I may have been in the 4th grade)—I wrote our address on my keychain in case I lost them so that whoever found them could return them to me. Something along the lines of, “If found, please return to..." I did not technically lose my keys, but my mom took them back. LOL!

Something you made and can proudly share?
I co-founded an education-based startup called Classroom Culture that provides a space for professionals in education to collaborate and lead. We are on the verge of developing and announcing new programming for 2022, and we are very excited!

Also, in 2015, I co--published (with a current GDS parent) a collection of essays and interviews called Why the SUN Rises: the faces and stories of women in education. The book highlights women in education via vibrant photos and honest essays on why they teach. 

One thing on your life "bucket list" you've already accomplished?
Swimming in the Indian Ocean on my unforgettable trip to Zanzibar, Tanzania.

One thing on your life “bucket list” you have yet to accomplish?
Living abroad at some point of my life!

With a tip from Meredith, we reached out to hear what a colleague had to say...
High School science teacher C.A. Pilling said, “Meredith—from the first minute you meet her, makes you feel like you've known her all your life. She leads with both empathy and respect in every interaction, which is why she is such a perfect fit for GDS. She always looks to give more than she receives. It is truly an honor to work with such a talented and dedicated individual.”